If you simply listened to oddsmakers and fans, they’ll have you believe that Edwin De Los Santos is a good fighter, very good even. But on the elite level? Not a chance.
The 23-year-old has looked sharp at times but against William Foster in 2022, he was handed the lone defeat of his career. Of course, fans are attempting to put two and two together. Well, if Foster was a bit too much, and Shakur Stevenson is considered one of the best 135-pounders around, then essentially, De Los Santos doesn’t have a chance on November 16th.
It seems like simple rudimentary math but in boxing, things are far more complex than that.
Richardson Hitchins might be young, but he’s been around practically every big-name fighter you can think of. He does so for a combination of reasons. One is to soak up knowledge. Two is to test his skills.
In the process of doing all of the above, Hitchins has managed to share the ring with De Los Santos. From those private sessions, Hitchins walked away incredibly impressed.
“I think De Los Santos is punching very, very hard and he’s skillful,” explained Hitchins to MillCity Boxing. “I been in the ring with him. He’s very skillful.”
Whether he’s better than advertised or not, Stevenson was hoping to get his hands on someone that would resonate more with fans. It’s been a steady progression for him, both in accolades and star-level competition. At least on paper, De Los Santos could be viewed as a step-down. Richardson though, doesn’t believe that for one second. For those who are under the impression that everything De Los Santos brings to the table is innocuous, their missing the point. His name may go unrecognized when juxtaposing it with who Stevenson has fought in the past but come fight night, he’ll be tested like never before.
“I think that’s a dangerous fight for Shakur. I think that’s a 50/50 fight. This is the toughest guy Shakur has ever fought.”