Don't tug on Superman's cape and beware of his vicious straight right hand. Chad Dawson learned both lessons the hard way in June.
Adonis "Superman" Stevenson (21-1, 18 KO) scored one of the most exciting wins of the year when he scored a first-round KO over Dawson to capture the WBC light heavyweight title.
Take a look at Stevenson's championship moment.
In his first defense, he will take on former IBF titleholder Tavoris "Thunder" Cloud (24-1, 19 KO) on Saturday at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It is the same arena where he defeated Dawson. Cloud is coming off a loss to the legendary and ageless Bernard Hopkins in March.
He lost his title in that bout and is now looking to regain a share of the crown in the 175-pound division.
The bout is the first half of a split-site doubleheader that will be televised on HBO. The second fight features the return of former middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., who will battle the rugged Brian Vera.
Here's how you can catch all the action.
A Closer Look at Both Fighters
Image from ESPN
The Book on Stevenson
Better Late than Never
Attaining glory in the sport took awhile for Stevenson. He was 35 when he defeated Dawson and just turned 36 on Sept. 22. Most champions reach their peak in their 20s, but Stevenson's route to this level hasn't been a normal one.
He began his professional career at the age of 29 after he served four years in prison for pimping and assault, per Herb Zurkowsky of The Gazette. Needless to say, his life has turned around significantly.
Upon turning pro, he went on a 13-fight win streak before being knocked out by journeyman Darnell Boone in April, 2010. He rebounded and even avenged the loss against Boone with a sixth-round KO win in March.
Still riding substantial momentum, Stevenson hopes to keep rolling right over Cloud.
The Book on Cloud
Is There Any Kryptonite in This Cloud?
Cloud hasn't been effective in his last two fights. Many believe he deserved to lose to Gabriel Campillo in February 2012, and "B-Hop" did defeat him in their meeting. Hopkins is an ageless wonder, but it doesn't help the reputation of a 31-year-old fighter to lose to a 48-year-old opponent.
Cloud can't afford to lose this fight. He's fortunate to receive another title shot this early. The 175-pound division isn't brimming with big names, so Cloud still makes the most sense as an opponent here.
The question is: Can he outbox Stevenson and avoid his substantial power? Only one man has found the champion's kryptonite. Will Cloud be the second?
Fight Analysis and Prediction
Stevenson is raw, but he's an underrated athlete with long arms, a decent jab and lights-out power. There isn't a light heavyweight in the world he can't put to sleep if he connects. That said, if Cloud can control the distance, he has a chance to outbox him.
The challenger must get on the inside of Stevenson's length. Using lateral movement to throw off Stevenson's timing would be the best way to get into the champion's chest. If he accomplishes that goal, stamina could be a huge issue in this fight.
Stevenson has only gone the distance in a 10 or 12-round bout once in his career. Cloud does have an impressive KO percentage, but he has also proved he can win a decision. He outpointed former champion Glen Johnson and Clinton Woods earlier in his career.
The champion is built to seek and destroy; he may not have a Plan B. Even if he does, he may not have the stamina to execute it.
We also have to acknowledge that Stevenson's vulnerability to the KO has already been exposed. Despite his journeyman status, Boone is a very good puncher. He once dropped Andre Ward early in his career as well.
That said, Cloud has never been stopped, and per BoxRec.com, he has never been down. It stands to reason he is the more durable fighter. Also, despite Stevenson's slight height advantage, Cloud has the longer reach.
Can Stevenson land the type of shot early on that throws all of this out the window? I believe he can. Cloud has the ability to outbox Stevenson, but he can't afford to slug with him early. In an effort to erase the images of his last fights from fans' memories, I predict he'll look to make this an exciting bout.
That will lead to him running into a hard right hand from Stevenson and a third-round KO win for the champion.
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