Shakur Stevenson vs. Robson Conceicao: Expert prediction, best bets for 2022 boxing title fight

Daniel Yanofsky

Shakur Stevenson vs. Robson Conceicao: Expert prediction, best bets for 2022 boxing title fight image

Note: This story was published before Stevenson missed weight on Thursday. He was stripped of the WBC, WBO, and The Ring junior-lightweight titles. Only Conceicao can win the belts.   

Inside New Jersey's Prudential Center, Shakur Stevenson faces Robson Conceicao. It will be a homecoming fight for Stevenson on September 23, and he will look to show why he is one of the best young fighters in the sport. 

Stevenson made his pro debut in 2017. He won the WBO featherweight title in 2019 against Joet Gonzalez. Moving divisions, Stevenson won the interim WBO junior-lightweight title against Jeremiah Nakathila in 2021. Later that year, he beat Jamel Herring to become the regular champion. In his last fight in April, Stevenson beat Oscar Valdez to win the WBC and The Ring junior-lightweight titles.

Stevenson faces a former title contender in Robson Conceicao. In 2021, Conceicao lost to Oscar Valdez for the WBC title. Now, he is ready to prove why he should remain at the top with a win over the young Stevenson.

MORE: Sign up to watch Shakur Stevenson vs. Robson Conceicao on ESPN+

The odds do not favor Conceicao in this fight, is there validity to it being that way? The Sporting News is here to give some insight on how to bet on this fight.

Betting odds for Shakur Stevenson vs. Robson Conceicao

Per Vegas Insider, Stevenson is the -2500 favorite, while Conceicao is the +800 underdog.

In Canada, per Sports Interaction, Stevenson is the -2469 favorite, while Conceicao is the +800 underdog.

Prop bets for Shakur Stevenson vs. Robson Conceicao

  • Stevenson via KO/TKO: +150 
  • Stevenson via decision: -175 
  • Conceicao via KO?TKO: +1200 
  • Conceicao via decision: +2500

MORE: Boxing's top 25 under 25: Ranking the best young stars in 2022

Expert prediction for Shakur Stevenson vs. Robson Conceicao

Stevenson's growth has become a big story in boxing. In each division he has been in the skill of the talent pool has increased dramatically. He can adapt well, which makes this fight against Conceicao an interesting affair. 

Conceicao has good punching power, thanks to his hand speed. He also has been able to control the range level of his opponent. Against Xavier Martinez, Conceicao landed 125 of 549 shots (22.8%), with 50 of the blows being jabs. Against Jesus Antonio Ahumada, he landed 216 shots out of 657 (32.9%), with 78 of them jabs. 

If he can find the distance and plan his shots well, Conceicao can hold his own. However, against Stevenson, Conceicao may have his hands full. 

Stevenson, 25, has a +17.6 +/- rating, ranked third out of all active fighters. He has a 31.5% connect rate, while his opponents only connect 13.9% of the time. The southpaw’s fast footwork allows him to glide across the ring like he's ice skating. 

When he beat Gonzalez for the WBO featherweight title, Stevenson landed 121 of 510 shots (23.7%) with 33 jabs. Beating Nakathila in a new division, Stevenson landed 114 of 304 shots (37.5%) with 26 jabs. He landed 65 jabs from 164 shots landed out of 530 (30.9%) against Herring and 31 jabs from 189 shots landed out of 580 (32.6%) against Valdez.

MORE: Ticket prices for Stevenson vs. Conceicao

With each fight, Stevenson has learned to elevate his game. When it comes down to it, Shakur Stevenson is a boxer. And a boxer with his talent at his age, especially when he is still growing, is something to fear. 

Stevenson's last TKO win was against Herring (before that against Alberto Guevara back in 2019). Conceicao has never lost via knockout. That may not change following this fight. The Sporting News can see Stevenson tiring Conceicao out, punishing him with blows that will force him to rethink his strategy. 

Stevenson can expose a weakness like no other. Expect the same result in front of family and friends. 

Sporting News prediction: Stevenson via unanimous decision

When is Shakur Stevenson vs. Robson Conceicao? 

  • Date: Friday, September 23
  • Undercard: 5:30 p.m. ET 
  • Main card: 10 p.m. ET
  • Main event: 11:30 p.m. ET (Approximate)

Shakur Stevenson vs. Robson Conceicao will be taking place on September 23. The undercard is set to start at 5:30 p.m. ET. The main card begins at 10 p.m. ET. Stevenson and Conceicao should be making their way to the ring around 11:30 p.m.ET, depending on how long the undercard fights last. 

How to watch Shakur Stevenson vs. Robson Conceicao

  • ESPN, ESPN+, ESPN Deportes

The Stevenson vs. Conceicao main card will be airing on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+. The undercard will be airing exclusively on ESPN+. 

MORE: Sign up to watch Shakur Stevenson vs. Robson Conceicao on ESPN+

Shakur Stevenson vs. Robson Conceicao price: How much does the card cost?

You will need to pay $9.99 a month for a monthly subscription to ESPN+ or an annual subscription for $99.99/yr. The Stevenson vs. Conceicao fight won't be an additional cost to current ESPN+ subscribers. 

Product Prices
ESPN+ Monthly Subscription $9.99/month
ESPN+ Annual Subscription $99.99/year
The Disney Bundle w/Hulu Ad-Supported $13.99/month
The Disney Bundle w/Hulu No-Ads

$19.99/month

Shakur Stevenson vs. Robson Conceicao fight card

Main card

  • Shakur Stevenson vs. Robson Conceicao for the WBC, WBO, and The Ring junior-lightweight titles
  • Keyshawn Davis vs. Omar Tienda; Lightweights

Undercard

  • Jahi Tucker vs. Jose Luis Sanchez; Welterweights
  • Bruce Carrington vs. Jose Argel; Featherweights
  • Armani Almestica vs. Omar Urieta; Lightweights
  • Pablo Valdez vs. Noe Alejandro Lopez; Welterweights
  • Orlando Gonzalez vs. Misael Lopez; Featherweights
  • Floyd Diaz vs. Eduardo Diogo; Junior-Featherweights

Daniel Yanofsky