Shuichiro Yoshino wasn’t short on confidence heading into his showdown against Shakur Stevenson. Although the former Olympic silver medalist has shown incredible skills throughout his career, the Japanese native was convinced that once he landed flush, that’ll be all she wrote. But while the 31-year-old believed that he held a significant power advantage, it was Stevenson who sat him on the seat of his pants.

Despite making his 135-pound debut, Stevenson (20-0, 10 KOs) quickly proved that the added weight was a much-needed power boost. Ultimately, regardless of the former unified champion at 130 pounds flooring Yoshino (16-1, 12 KOs) on multiple occasions, he isn’t willing to acknowledge that Stevenson is a heavy-hitter. Instead, Yoshino gave his rival credit for his blazing hand speed.

“I didn’t feel the power that much,” said Yoshino to krikya360.com. “But he was very fast.”

Yoshino’s willingness to peel himself up off the deck and carry on only protracted the severity of his beating. Though normally known as a defensive wizard, Stevenson blended his mastery of elusiveness with a creative offensive attack.

The results, as previously mentioned, were deadly. Although he did become acquainted with the canvas several times over, Yoshino never appeared to be in real trouble. Referee Allen Huggins, however, had seen enough in the sixth frame.

During the round, Stevenson blasted his man with a left uppercut in the center of the ring. From there, he began uncorking countless shots on the Japanese product.

At no point during Stevenson’s onslaught did Yoshino appear out on his feet. Still, Huggins mercifully stepped in and waved a halt to their bout.

Initially, Yoshino accepted the referee’s decision, walked across the ring and graciously shook Stevenson’s hand. Now, after sulking over how things played out, Yoshino believes that he was given a raw deal. Although there’s nothing he can do to change the outcome of their clash now, Yoshino believes that things ended ambiguously and abruptly.

“I’m disappointed, I could’ve kept going.”