ADONIS STEVENSON vs ANTHONY BONSANTE

Haitian-born Adonis Stevenson is aged 30 but still considered a prospect. The unbeaten 168-pounder can take a significant step forward, though, if he can win in impressive fashion against the veteran Anthony Bonsante in their 12-round WBC Continental Americas title bout on Friday Night Fights.

This fight is a step up for Stevenson, who has won 11 bouts in a row against opponents who were outclassed by his physical strength and heavy-handed punching.

Bonsante is a cagey boxer who has been in the ring with a far higher class of opponent than those faced by Stevenson. Although Bonsante is 37 he still takes his career seriously, as shown by his impressive recent form — five wins in his last six fights.

Stevenson looked a bit raw when I saw him in one of his earlier fights, a decision win over trial horse Carl Cockerham, but he does seem to have made good progress and in his last fight he overpowered the useful Dhafir Smith in rather brutal fashion in five rounds.

Promoter Yvon Michel feels that Stevenson is going to make a statement in front of the U.S. TV viewing audience. “Stevenson punches so hard he knocks out people in sparring with 18-ounce gloves,” Michel said. “Librado Andrade has boxed with him and he told us that Adonis hit him harder than anyone has ever hit him. If Bonsante comes to survive he might go 12 rounds, but if he comes to fight, which we hope he does, Adonis will knock him out.”

Bonsante has so much experience that it is easy to visualise him making Stevenson miss and popping him with counters and perhaps winning some rounds. Stevenson, though, is aggressive and hungry and I think he will be hard to discourage.

Although Bonsante’s last two fights were at 168 pounds, I feel that Stevenson is the naturally bigger, stronger man. I will not be surprised if Bonsante does well early but I just cannot see him keeping Stevenson off him for 12 rounds. The long-serving boxer from Minnesota will give it his best effort, but I cannot see it being enough and I am expecting Stevenson to overrun Bonsante’s defences in about eight or nine rounds.