Middleweight Curtis “Showtime” Stevens, 24-3, 17 KOs, has been gaining serious ground in the 160-pound division over the past couple of years. The Brooklyn-born slugger’s recent performances have brought him the NABF belt, a boat-load of new fans, and sudden status as an emerging threat. This career-surge couldn’t come at a better time, because the middleweight division is loaded with a number of exciting options for Stevens, including fights with the four world champions that currently rule the weight class. He just needs to keep winning.
Stevens takes on Mexican veteran Saul Roman, 37-9, 31 KOs, on the next edition of Fight Night, on NBC Sports Network, August 3rd. The fight is part of the anticipated “Three to See” triple header of 10-rounders that also features cruiserweights Eddie Chambers and Thabiso Mchunu, and heavyweight Tomasz Adamek against Dominick Guinn. The broadcast from the Mohegan Sun Casino, in Uncasville, CT, begins at 10:30 PM.
Fans love a fast-fisted puncher like Stevens, and an impressive win over Roman, especially another KO, could start a groundswell of support for the 28-year old to fight for the title. Potential matches include WBC champion Sergio Martinez, 51-2-2, 28 KOs, of Argentina, WBA king Gennady Golovkin, 27-0, 24 KOs, of Kazakhstan, WBO champ Peter Quillin (aka Kid Chocolate), 29-0, 21 KOs, of the USA, former WBC champ Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., 46-1-1, 32 KO’s, of Mexico and the winner of the upcoming match between IBF champion Daniel Geale, 29-1, 21 KOs, of Australia and Darren Barker, 25-1, 16 KOs, of the UK.
Thoughts of the hard-hitting Stevens in the ring with each of the international stars is an exciting prospect, and who could resist an all-Brooklyn brawl between Curtis and Kid Chocolate? The fact that Stevens could wage war with any of the champs is further proof that he is coming into his own as a contender with the power and attitude to compete with any 160-pounder in the game.
However, Stevens must first tackle the tough, upset-minded Mexican currently blocking the options that could come after August 3rd.
