Stephan Shaw intends to seize the opportunity against Efe Ajagba
Sometimes another fighter’s bad luck is your good fortune.
Stephan Shaw was to take on Guido Vianello, a fellow heavyweight prospect, on a card that featured a fight between Efe Ajagba (ESPN), ESPN+.
Rivas was unable to compete due to an eye injury and had to withdraw a few weeks prior. This gave Shaw the best opportunity in his career, as he has never faced a major-name opponent over the course of his decade-long career.
“I was just rolling through social media I looked at BoxingScene.com and saw that Rivas pulled out of fight,” Shaw said at a news conference Thursday. “My people hit me up and asked me, would I want to be a replacement? I said abso-f—ing-lutely.
“Excuse my French but that’s what I said. The fight was won. And here we are.”
Shaw (18-0 KOs, 13 KOs), was the son of a boxer and a grandfather. Before turning professional in 2013, he was one of the top amateur heavyweights.
The 6-foot-4 boxer-puncher from St. Louis has maintained a perfect record but you probably aren’t familiar with many of his opponents. Shaw is only the second fighter scheduled for Saturday, which is quite unusual.
That’s why he jumped at the chance to fight Ajagba (16-1, 13 KOs) in a main event on ESPN and ESPN+.
“I’ve got God on my side,” he said. “God makes all the situations that I have faced in my entire career and he has made it work. I have faced adversity that the average man wouldn’t be able to deal with. Being from St. Louis, I was fortunate to beat the odds and get my chance. I feel great. I’m excited.”
“I’m a third-generation fighter. I’m looking to become a world champion. Saturday night I’m going to make my mark.”