Photo by Art Hernandez/RBRBoxing
In what seemed to be a better fight on paper, Hassan N’Dam (31-1, 18 KOs) scored a shutout unanimous decision victory over Curtis Stevens (27-5, 20 KOs) at the Barker Hanger in Santa Monica, California.
The 12-round Middleweight fight, which earned N’Dam a shot at the IBF crown, was the main event of a card presented by King Sports and ESPN2.
From the opening bell, N’Dam used a combination of footwork, feints and a quick jab to completely befuddle Stevens in nearly every round.
Stevens had no answers for N’Dam’s ring generalship, failing to cut the ring off and only letting go of a single power shot every time N’Dam would make the mistake of staying too close for too long.
N’Dam won with scores of 116-111, 116-111, and 119-108. RBRBoxing scored the bout 119-108 for N’Dam.
Stevens rarely got a chance to let his hands go and, instead of demonstrating the knockout power that earned him the nickname the “Chin Checker,” was himself knocked down in Round 8 by a right hand.
N'Dam knockdown punch #boxing pic.twitter.com/O7w6HWM3Me
— RoundByRoundBoxing (@RBRBoxing) October 2, 2014
Stevens never seemed to recover from the knockdown and only waited until the 12th round to finally pressure N’Dam the way he should have the entire fight.
Unfortunately for Stevens, it was too little too late. He now suffers the fifth loss of his career and yet another roadblock to a world title.
As for N’Dam, he will now face the winner of the IBF Middleweight title fight between Sam Soliman and Jermain Taylor, which will take place on October 8 and will also be televised on ESPN2.
