“Come on Steph! Let’s go! Keep going. Keep pushing.”
Those are the words of boxing trainer extraordinaire Kevin Cunningham, the man who helped guide Cory Spinks and Devon Alexander from the streets of St. Louis to the pugilistic Promised Land as world champion boxers.
However, today those words aren’t directed at the fighters whose names he helped make synonymous with 21st century St. Louis boxing, nor are they intended for Sakio Bika, the former Contender turned champion under Cunningham’s tutelage. Today, Cunningham is training his newest prize pupil, Stephan Shaw.
Why should you care about Shaw? It’s simple. The towering 6-foot-5, 250-pound fighting phenom is out to prove that the road to the next great American heavyweight goes down I-70 to the STL.
Shaw recently capped off a stellar amateur boxing career in spectacular style after winning the 2013 PAL National Championship in Oxnard, Calif. by first-round KO. It was the second national title of the year for the Hazelwood Central graduate. He also won the USA National Championship by KO in April.
Watching Shaw in action, it’s easy to see why the 21-year-old has been so successful in his amateur career. He possesses a rare blend of size, strength and agility inside the ring. It’s evident that boxing isn’t just a hobby for Shaw, it’s in his DNA. For years he was trained by his grandfather Buddy Shaw, one of the top trainers of amateurs in Missouri.
“Boxing is the first sport I was introduced to,” Stephan Shaw said. “It’s a family tradition.”
The elder Shaw’s influence is evident in the way his grandson works behind his jab to set up his concussive overhand rights and vicious left hooks to the body. His use of effective lateral movement is uncommon amongst the big, plodding heavyweights often seen today.
“What impresses me most is that Stephan is a big, strong heavyweight but has the athleticism and skill level of a welterweight,” Cunningham told The American.“
Under Cunningham’s watchful eye and intense training regimen, Shaw feels he’s ready to take his career to the next level and continue his ascension as a professional. He recently signed a managerial contract with Al Haymon. Haymon’s influence is immense, as the behind-the-scenes businessman also manages the careers of stars such as Alexander, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Danny Garcia, Adrien Broner and Marcos Maidana.
When asked about his favorite fighter, the answer comes without hesitation – Mayweather, one of the hardest-working fighters today. Shaw hopes to emulate Mayweather’s success both inside and outside the ring and is willing to make the necessary sacrifices to make it happen. So he trains relentlessly six days per week in order to get stronger, faster and sharper. He is preparing for his professional debut Nov. 30 on the undercard of Alexander’s upcoming fight versus Shawn Porter in San Antonio.
Shaw’s ultimate goal is to earn championship status like Mayweather and his other managerial stablemates.
“My goal is to be world champion, in God’s will, and that takes staying focused and staying disciplined” said Shaw. “My father [Brian Shaw] showed me that hard work and dedication will bring you success.”
While the young fighter is undoubtedly attracted to the money, fame and acclaim that come with championship success, those things are far from his motivation during those early morning runs, grueling heavy bag sessions or bruising blows inside the ring. That lays solely in the tiny hands of the smallest person inside his inner circle – his eight-month-old son.
“Before my son, [boxing] was a self-pleasure thing. Now that he’s in my life, I have to give it 110 percent because his future is in my hands. He motivates me every single day,” Shaw said.
According to Cunningham, over the next 18 months, it’s very likely the Ukrainian-born Klitschko brothers, who have dominated the heavyweight division for the past decade, will both head towards retirement. That means there will an open opportunity in what was once boxing’s glamour division but has languished worldwide without a viable, exciting heavyweight contender. Both Cunningham and Shaw believe the young fighter can eventually fill that void.
“With his skillset and my teaching, I see this kid going all the way,” Cunningham said.
Shaw appears to have the right mindset to make his trainer’s vision come true. While other young adults his age are hitting the clubs, he has managed to sidestep the temptations of smoking and drinking. Instead, he studies boxing history, watches every fight he can and meticulously hones his craft.
“Outside the ring, I’m a student. Inside the ring, I’m the teacher,” said Shaw, showing just a hint of Mayweather-esque swagger. “I’m ready to revamp the American heavyweight division. I believe I have the skills to beat anybody – in due time.”
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