Styles make fights. Sisters never do, but a sister has become part of the story – and the promotion – in a fight suddenly as hard to predict as a blind date.
Shakur Stevenson vs. Joet Gonzalez has gone from an interesting featherweight fight to soap opera, a tabloid potboiler full of tension and taunts.
It exploded onto the stage and in front of the cameras a couple of day before Tyson Fury’s bloody decision over Otto Wallin. Top Rank called a news conference at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand to announce its fall schedule, including Stevenson-Gonzalez on October 26 at Reno, Nevada, on ESPN.
Stevenson was introduced.
Then, Gonzalez.
“A bitch,’’ Stevenson said, looking straight at Gonzalez.
It didn’t take long Gonzalez to counter in kind.
“The kid has no class, no morals,” Gonzalez said. “He’s disrespectful. He’s ignorant. You guys seen it on the stage. Come fight time, I’ll be ready. I’ll show him a thing or two again, and I’m going to beat him down.”
It was a stunning moment, especially from Stevenson, who has had not been known to indulge in trash talk since his introduction to the pro ranks after winning a silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
What prompted the sudden change? By then, social media was abuzz with news that Stevenson is dating Gonzalez’s 22-year-old sister, Jajaira, an accomplished amateur. But Stevenson wouldn’t confirm that.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Stevenson (12-0, 7 knockouts) said when asked about Jajaira. “I’m just as confused as you. I just don’t know what you’re talking about.””
But Gonzalez, 25, did know what all the talk was about. He was upfront and prepared to contradict Stevenson.
“Yeah, they’re dating,” said Gonzalez (23-0, 14 KOs), who grew up in a family with five brothers and sisters in Azusa, California. “For three years, they’ve been dating. I’m her big brother and I want the best for her. I think there are better people out there for her. But, look, she can date who ever she wants. I’ll always support her, even if I don’t like it who she’s seeing.
“But, the thing is, I’ve never liked him, not since we were amateurs. It’s been a while. … I don’t like the way he treats people. My relationship with my sister doesn’t change. She’s family. Him, I don’t care about.’’
Back to Stevenson, who still would not address questions about his reported relationship with Jajaira, who is a contender for a spot on the U.S. Olympic team at the 2020 Tokyo Games.
“I can’t tell you no reason,” Stevenson said. “I just do not like him. I been disliking him for a long time, and I’m going to beat him up. I don’t know what makes it different, but I’m telling you I do not like him. Me on stage with him right now, I wanted to punch him. I wanted to beat him up.”
Meanwhile, Gonzalez says he hasn’t talked to his sister and doesn’t plan to for a while. He doesn’t need a fight at the family dinner table before the opening bell to what he says is the biggest fight of his life.
“I distanced myself a little from my sister,” Gonzalez said. “I’ve got to do what I’ve got to do. I can’t let emotions take over. Come fight time, I’ve just got to get the job done. I’ve been working my whole life for this, since I was 10 years old.
“At the end of the day, I’m going do what I have to do. It doesn’t matter, the opponent. I’m going to get the job done.”
