Boxing: World reacts to Shakur Stevenson's win over Felix Caraballo

Shakur Stevenson punches Felix Caraballo during their super featherweight bout. Photo / Getty

All eyes were on Shakur Stevenson as boxing returned in the United States and the rising star didn't disappoint.

The WBO featherweight titleholder made a mess of Felix Caraballo in their headline bout at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas today, justifying his rave reviews as the hype train around the talented 22-year-old picks up steam.

Stevenson extended his unbeaten streak to 14 fights, adding an eighth knockout to his resume as he completely overpowered a helpless Caraballo, showing the variety and power that has the boxing world salivating about what his future holds.

The American was faultless as he ended the fight in the sixth round with a bruising right-left combination to the ribs that saw his Puerto Rican opponent sink to his knees in agony, unable to continue.

Stevenson's precision was most impressive as he barely missed a punch, landing a meaningful blow every time he let his hands go.

Veteran combat sports reporter Kevin Iole was in awe of what the young gun was dishing up.

"Stevenson is just amazingly fast and he's landing so many hard shots," Iole tweeted.

"Just amazing difference in hand speed between these two guys. Stevenson is a blur. And those punches are H-A-R-D.

"This guy is the real deal. I know his opposition isn't elite, but this is remarkable and impressive stuff."

After three rounds of the one-sided contest, Stevenson had landed 66 punches to Caraballo's seven. And the beatdown only got worse from there as the mismatch between the fighters was made painfully clear.

"I came here to get him out of there," Stevenson said. "My mindset was focused on getting him out of there.

"I hit him with everything I could early, I wobbled him a bunch of times, and I started realising the head shots weren't going to do it, so I went to the body."

Some in the boxing world have already compared Stevenson to Floyd Mayweather, but he wasn't buying into that talk.

"We're two different fighters, we've got different styles," he said. "I've stolen stuff from his game, but I've also stolen stuff from Pernell Whitaker, Terence Crawford, Andre Ward.

"I've stolen stuff from a lot of guys. It's not just Floyd that I try to put in my game. It's a huge compliment, but I'm still my own fighter."

Social media went wild for Stevenson as plenty questioned how Caraballo managed to survive as long as he did.

That boy @ShakurStevenson savage!!

— Terrell Gausha (@TerrellGausha) June 10, 2020

Not sure how Caraballo is still alive. He has heart but is being outworked by Stevenson. #StevensonCaraballo #Boxing

— Moises Linares (@MlinaresDC) June 10, 2020

Shakur Stevenson is the real deal! Man 😳

— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) June 10, 2020

Shakur Stevenson is phenomenal. That body shot was Sugar Shane Mosley-like.

— Myron Medcalf (@MedcalfByESPN) June 10, 2020

Shakur Stevenson is so good. That TKO body shot was a thing of beauty

— Pat Malacaro (@PatWGR) June 10, 2020

Stevenson is a joy to watch. Caraballo was clearly not on his level, but you can’t just focus on that. He’s an incredible boxer who will only get better in time. Turns 23 later this month. https://t.co/JZYanDXRCy

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 10, 2020