Shakur Stevenson vs. Edwin De Los Santos & Emanuel Navarrete vs. Robson Conceição on Thursday, November 16, 10:30 p.m. ET/ 7:30 p.m. PT Live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+
Shakur Stevenson will face Edwin De Los Santos for the vacant WBC lightweight title & Emanuel Navarrete will defend his WBO super featherweight belt against Robson Conceição in a doubleheader on ESPN on November 16 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The event starts at 10:30 p.m. ET and will be shown live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+.
Stevenson vs. De Los Santos & Navarrete vs. Conceicao event will take place on Thursday, November 16th, to take advantage of the huge interest in the Formula 1 Grand Prix that is taking place on that date in Las Vegas. There will be a lot of fans watching on ESPN.
Shakur (20-0, 10 KOs) and De Los Santos (16-1, 14 KOs) will meet in battle for the vacant WBC 135-lb belt that undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney abandoned to go up to 140.
Stevenson has been bragging about himself something fierce lately, and he’s got to back it up because he hasn’t fought any elite-level guys. Moreover, his fighting style isn’t what you would call exciting.
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum used to rail about the fighting style of Guillermo Rigondeaux being dull, but Shakur’s has been far worse because he doesn’t stay in the pocket, throws exclusively Mayweather-esque potshots, and uses that dull pull-back style.
“This is a tremendous platform for Shakur Stevenson to show why he is well on his way to reigning as the sport’s pound-for-pound king,” said Arum. “Many fighters turned down the opportunity, but Edwin De Los Santos eagerly accepted.
The defensive artist Shakur hasn’t had fighters interested in facing him because he is hard to hit, and the money isn’t huge yet because he’s not a PPV attraction.
If fighters are going to take a risky match that they’ll likely lose, they want to be paid the kind of money that they can retire on or live comfortably with. Until Shakur becomes more marketable, he’s going to have a hard time getting the top guys to face him.
The WBC has a bad rep as of late, with them letting their champions sit on their titles without defending them. Hopefully, Shakur doesn’t turn into one of those types of champions who sits on the WBC belt for years without making a defense, as we’re seeing with the likes of Tyson Fury & Jermall Charlo.
Boxing fans will be more interested in the Stevenson-De Los Santos fight than the Navarrete-Conceicao match, as that involves an aging 34-year-old Conceicao, whose recent ring record is 1-2-1, which is not exactly what you want seeing a challenger for a world title.
Shakur is a good fighter, but he’s winning world titles against beatable opposition. It’s great that he’s vying for his third-division world championship belt, but he’s not faced any elite guys. His title wins were against an old Oscar Valdez, Jamel Herring, and Joet Gonzalez.
Stevenson-De Los Santos and Navarrete-Conceição will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT.
At Monday’s media workout, this is what the fighters had to say.
Shakur Stevenson
“This is a defining moment in my life. I’ve worked tirelessly to reach this point, preparing for another title fight. I’m here to accomplish what I need to, fully concentrated and prepared. Thursday is showtime. My performance reflects my state of mind. I’m doing this for me, knowing my best form makes me a challenge for any opponent. He’s a tough competitor, full of heart. His courage might be his downfall in our upcoming fight, but I respect his decision to step into the ring with me. This fight is hugely important to me. I’m hoping for a packed arena and for everyone to watch. I’m zoned in and ready.”
“I’m looking forward to the fight. The excitement is high, especially facing Edwin De Los Santos who’s tough, but I’m confident in my ability to win.”
“My focus is solely on the upcoming fight on Thursday night. The future isn’t my concern right now; my priority is winning that belt.”
“Edwin’s skills are noteworthy, and he leans more towards being a technical fighter. He might try to maneuver strategically, but I plan to decode his style by the fourth round.”
Edwin De Los Santos
“I’ve always maintained, I’m not one to back down; I’m here for the fight. We grabbed this opportunity the moment it was presented. This is an exhilarating moment for me. It’s the dream of every boxer to be a world champion. My family is thrilled, and with God’s help, I believe this victory will be a life-changing event for me. Expect the unexpected on November 16. Don’t be caught off guard.”
“We’re here with a clear purpose: to fight. We’ve accepted this challenge head-on. Initially, I might have been underestimated, but now it’s acknowledged that this is going to be a significant fight.”
“It’s a dream come true to fight in Las Vegas for a world title, something I’ve aspired to for a long time, and it’s finally happening on November 16.”
Emanuel Navarrete
“Robson is a significant challenge in this fight. His unique Olympic style poses a challenge to anyone, especially with my style. We’ve been focusing on this to make the fight more manageable for me. I thrive on staying active and busy. I embrace the fights and opportunities that come my way throughout my career.”
“I’m excited to share this public workout with all of you. My next fight is just around the corner where I’ll be defending my 130-pound title.”
“The opponent I’m facing is no doubt a tough fighter, strong and challenging. But as always, I’ll defend my title with the resilience and spirit of a Mexican warrior.”
“Las Vegas is a dream stage for many athletes, not just boxers. It’s the heart of the world’s major events. Being here is a huge honor for me, and I’m grateful to be here in front of you all.”
Robson Conceição
“I found out about this fight just before another one in September. Recognizing the great opportunity, I was elated and accepted it without hesitation. The more challenging it is for me, the better. I accepted this fight without a second thought. Securing three title fights is a tough journey. My amateur career followed a similar path, taking three tries to win an Olympic championship. I expect to follow the same trajectory in professional boxing.”
“The day before what was meant to be my last fight, I got a great opportunity for November 16th. We decided to skip the previous fight to prepare better for this significant moment.”
“This fight is a critical point in my career, being part of such a large event. There are notable athletes here like Shakur Stevenson and Emanuel Navarrete, whom I greatly respect. This is my third shot at a world title. Just like in the Olympics, where I succeeded on my third try, I aim to replicate that success here.”
Stevenson vs. Santos Fight Details
Q: When and what time is the Stevenson vs. Santos fight?
A: The fight is scheduled for Thursday, November 16. It starts at 8:30 p.m. ET / 1:30 a.m. UK (Friday), with the main event ringwalks estimated around 11:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 a.m. UK (Friday). These times are subject to change based on the duration of the undercard fights.
Q: Where can I watch the Stevenson vs. Santos fight?
A: In the U.S., the fight will be broadcast on ESPN+. In the UK, it will be available on Sky Sports.
Q: Where is the fight taking place?
A: The Stevenson vs. Santos fight will be held at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Q: What are the records and bios of Stevenson and Santos?
A: Shakur Stevenson, an American boxer, has a record of 20-0 with 10 KOs. He was born on June 28, 1997, is 5′ 8″ tall with a 68″ reach. Edwin De Los Santos, from the Dominican Republic, has a record of 16-1 with 14 KOs. He was born on October 7, 1999, stands 5′ 8″ tall, and has a 70″ reach.
Stevenson vs. Santos Fight Card
- Shakur Stevenson vs. Edwin De Los Santos
- Emanuel Navarrete vs. Robson Conceicao
- Brian Norman Jr. vs. Quinton Randall; Welterweight
- Floyd Diaz vs. Max Ornelas; Bantamweight
- Troy Isley vs. Vladimir Hernandez; Middleweight
- Giovanni Sarchioto vs. TBA; Super middleweight
- Abdullah Mason vs. Jose Cardenas; Lightweight
- Emiliano Vargas vs. TBA; Lightweight
- Jackson Murray vs. Steven Torres; Heavyweight
- Hugo Micallef vs. Sergio Odabai; Super lightweight
