He had a good win over Mario Barrios tonight though.
But he wasn’t his usual explosive self with blistering speed.
He got the UD win over Barrios but his hand speed was not where it was some years ago.
He is a fighter in decline compared to then for us and many others noticed it afterwards as well tonight.
He still has punching power though per tonight:
- Dropped Barrios with a huge overhand right in the first 25 seconds, proving elite one-punch power at 147 lbs.
- Rocked Barrios multiple times (especially Round 5) but couldn’t finish against a durable chin.
- High knockout percentage (around 83% career) carried over, yet no KO despite heavy shots landed.
- Adapted to bigger welterweight frame, prioritizing control and jab over explosive bursts.
- Slowed and paced himself in later rounds (10-12), lacking early-fight twitchy sharpness.
- Used more disciplined, veteran-style boxing (sharp jab, footwork) instead of flashy highlights.
- Barrios’ size/reach forced measured performance rather than usual blinding speed.
- Came off recent losses/controversies, showing rust in perfect timing despite strong showing.
- Outlanded Barrios heavily in power punches but relied on volume over kill-shot precision.
- Delivered his most complete/masterful fight ever, but calculated rather than electric peak sharpness.
That said, the above is not boxing ability.
Size and power doesn’t win fights — Stevenson is the better boxer.
Garcia said he’d take Barrios in 9 rounds tonight before hand — he did not.
Stevenson toys with Garcia and busts him up if they fight.
