Watch Shakur Stevenson propose to girlfriend in ring after unifying super featherweight division by beating Oscar Valdez
SHAKUR STEVENSON proposed to partner Young Lyric after beating Oscar Valdez to become unified super featherweight champion.
The New Jersey-native handed Valdez the first defeat of his career to snatch the WBC belt away on a thrilling night in Las Vegas.
Stevenson, 24, claimed victory by unanimous decision, triumphing on the scorecards 117-110, 118-109 and 119-109.
The 5ft 7in former Olympian largely went punch for punch with Valdez in the early rounds, before taking control of the bout.
Mexican former champ Valdez had previously been 30-0 in what’s been a glittering career to date.
After seeing off the 31-year-old, Stevenson was joined by his entourage in the ring, including his girlfriend.
While being interviewed by Bernardo Osuna, Stevenson got down on one knee and proposed to Young Lyric, saying: “I love you. Will you marry me?”
Lyric, mother to Stevenson’s daughter, was visibly emotional – saying “yes” before embracing her new fiance.
Prior to his proposal, the newly-crowned unified champ said: “This victory means everything.”
It was a big night of boxing in New York, with Irish superstar Katie Taylor making history over at Madison Square Garden.
Most read in Sport
The 35-year-old defeated Amanda Serrano at a sold out Garden via a hotly-contested split decision following an epic back-and-forth battle.
Taylor – who edged it 97-93, 96-93 and and 94-96 to win promoter Eddie Hearn a $1million side bet with US rival promoters Jake Paul – snapped up the offer of a rerun.
She roared: “Let’s do it again Amanda. What a fighter Amanda Serrano is.
“I think we are both winners here – look at what we have both done – sold out Madison Square Garden.
“The biggest fight in female boxing history and both of us have broken so many barriers over our whole careers.”