Montreal – Haitian-born Canadian Adonis Stevenson defended his World Boxing Council light-heavyweight title Saturday by stopping US former world champion Tavoris Cloud after seven rounds.
Stevenson, a 36-year-old southpaw, won his ninth fight in a row and improved to 22-1 with his 19th victory inside the distance. Cloud fell to 24-2 with his second loss in a row.
Stevenson was a hometown favorite in Montreal. In June he successfully defended his world title by knocking out American Chad Dawson in only 76 seconds.
“I've beaten two great champions,” Stevenson said. “Just basic boxing, connecting, use my jab, my movement. I was training for that. I've been seven rounds, I still can box him.”
Cloud, a 31-year-old American, suffered the first loss of his career six months ago, dropping a unanimous decision to 48-year-old Bernard Hopkins to lose the International Boxing Federation version of the weight class' world title.
It has been nearly six years since Stevenson, who left Haiti for Canada at age four, had a fight that went the distance.
Stevenson's only loss came in 2010 to American Darnell Boone, a defeat the Canadian avenged six months ago.
Stevenson slammed a solid left into Cloud's left eye in the first round and the American went to the canvas in the second round, although referee Mike Griffin ruled it was a slip and not a knockdown.
Cloud was bleeding by the end of the fourth round. Stevenson dropping his guard at times and taunting the challenger as the crowd chanted Stevenson's nickname, “Superman.”
A hard left to the head in the seventh staggered Cloud and a right hook followed by a body blow opened cuts over both eyes, prompting Cloud's corner to ask for the bout to be halted just moments after the seventh round ended.
“He was covering more so I went to the body,” Stevenson said. “Sometimes I went for the head and sometimes the body. It worked out well.” – Sapa-AFP