Stevenson vs Yoshino Odds Preview: The Next Great Lightweight
The Unbeaten Stevenson Enters the 135-Pound Division

Books Expect Stevenson to Run Through Yoshino
Shakur Stevenson makes his highly anticipated lightweight debut. And despite what the Stevenson vs Yoshino odds expect, this is not an easy fight for the two-division champion. Lined at -2000, this line implies that Stevenson wins this bout 90 percent of the time. This underestimates his opponent, Shuichiro Yoshino, who is also unbeaten like him. With a title shot on the line, expect this to be anything but a walk in the park for boxing’s brightest prodigy.
Shakur Stevenson vs Shuichiro Yoshino
Boxers: Shakur Stevenson (19-0-0, 9 KOs) vs Shuichiro Yoshino (16-0-0,12 KOs)
Day/Time:
Location: Prudential Center, Newark, NJ
Weight Class: WBO Lightweight (135 lbs.), 12 Rounds
Boxing Odds Underestimate Yoshino
Going by the Stevenson vs Yoshino odds, the latter appears to be nothing more than a stepping stone for Stevenson. Despite being unbeaten with a better knockout-to-win ratio, Yoshino is considered far inferior to Stevenson. Maybe he is the likelier loser here, but he will not be an easy opponent.
The Japanese boxer has mainly only beaten his compatriots. But they have been arguably tougher than the opponents Stevenson went through. Yoshino knocked out Masayoshi Nakatani, who has fought the best in the division including former champions Vasyl Lomachenko and Teofimo Lopez. He also brutalized former champion Masayuki Ito.
Yoshino’s pedigree is why Stevenson chose him as his debut fight at 135 pounds. The American wants to “earn respect” by beating another promising up-and-comer.
“I look at it, I ain’t too mad about it, I really don’t care. Actually, nah, I’m lying. I care, and since I do care, I’ve got to wake them up,” Stevenson told The New York Post in regards to him not being as prominent now as he was when he held his titles. “I gotta make them remember who I am. Now at 135 [pounds], I’ve got to open their eyes up a little bit more and make sure they put some real respect on my name.”
Those betting on boxing can win $850 for every $100 wager they put on Yoshino if he shocks the world and beats Stevenson. He is the harder puncher of the two and is built the same physically. While he’s already 31 compared to Stevenson is 25, Yoshino is still young and has not taken much damage in his career.
Yoshino is in the prime of his career and will be a mainstay in the division. He is overmatched per the Stevenson vs Yoshino odds. But even with a loss here, this will not be the last time we hear from this prospect-turned-contender.
Stevenson is the Future King
Fans and pundits have crowned Stevenson as the future “GOAT” of the sport. Those who have been following him since his amateur days know. He is “special”. At just 25 years old, he already has championships in two weight divisions and an Olympic silver medal. If he keeps up this pace, he may soon be a three-division champion and maybe even the next four-division champion.
First, Stevenson has to get past Yoshino. While a victory for him is all but expected, beating the breaks out of a fellow unbeaten contender will be the statement Stevenson needs. Most boxing betting tips expect Stevenson to earn a decision over Yoshino as he has typically done. The sportsbook has the round total listed at 10.5 with the over being juiced at -350 (under is at +250).
And Stevenson’s knockout-to-win ratio is not lofty with “only” nine KOs to 19 victories. He is not a power puncher or a knockout artist. But like a five-tool player in baseball, Stevenson has all the tools you need to make an all-time great boxer. And power is one of them.
While Yoshino may be the more potent puncher, Stevenson will beat him to the punch and hit from angles he won’t see coming. His opponent is a durable one, but Stevenson has a decent chance of overwhelming him until the corner or the referee waves the fight off.
A TKO victory for Stevenson will give him a title shot and signal to the rest of the division’s lords that a new king is in town. Buckle up, boxing fans. War is coming.
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