Interview with Steve Luevano
Published November 3, 2008 by Martin Bean
Steve Luevano is a fighter that first came to my attention last year in a contest at London’s impressive O2 arena. Luevano was matched in a vacant WBO featherweight title contest against Dagenham’s then unbeaten Nicky Cook. Cook was considered to be an excellent fighter and had vacated his European Title to take on Luevano for the world crown. Certainly on British shores, many had anticipated a tough night for Cook but defeat? It wasn’t considered to be a possibility at all. Cook was a tough fighter with class and how much trouble could the unheralded Luevano pose?
What actually happened stunned the British boxing fans in the O2 arena into a numb silence; Luevano, then a relative unknown on British shores, dissected Cook over 11 rounds into submission. Luevano simply put on ’a clinic’ and announced his arrival on the world stage with real intent.
What perhaps makes Luevano’s win even more impressive is the fact that Cook has gone on to become WBO Super Featherweight Champion. Luevano didn’t beat just any average British fighter that night, he beat a genuine world class opponent.
Fast forward 18 months and Luevano has defended his WBO Title 4 times, most recently by way of an impressive win over Australia’s unbeaten and highly rated Billy Dib on the Pavlik-Hopkins undercard. Yet again, aside from Hopkins hall of fame confirming performance, Luevano stood out from the rest of the card.
Boxing Capital caught up with Steve last week following his win and rightly so, the slick southpaw confirmed that he was “very, very pleased” with his performance in beating Dib. As to future plans, it’s too soon for Luevano to be aware of his management’s intent for this master craftsman; Luevano confirmed “I’ve not heard much since the last fight with Dib”.
Forgetting his promoters plans for the moment, Boxing Capital asked Steve what he would like in the future ‘I’d like to fight for another title’ said this real pro—Unification would befit this classy champion. So, which of the other champions would he like to take on? “WBA Champion Chris John won’t leave Indonesia so that’s out of the question, especially after what happened with Marquez”. Remember, John beat the excellent Juan Manuel Marquez in Indonesia back in 2006—a fight that saw what many described as controversial judging and refereeing.
One fight that could make sense is with new IBF Champ, Mexican Cristobal Cruz. “I beat Cruz before (July 2006) so maybe he would like to get revenge and we could put the two titles up—something worth fighting for”. It’s a fight that would certainly make sense although Cruz may want to make a voluntary defence before taking on someone of Luevano’s quality.
When asked whether he struggled to continue to make the 126lb (9 stone) featherweight division limit Luevano sounded a warning to all potential rivals at the weight “I make my weight good—I have no trouble making weight”.
Still, despite that, Luevano says a move to super featherweight and 126lbs is not out of the question “Well I don’t see why not. If there’s not something left for me to accomplish at 126lbs then yeah, why not. It makes things easier”.
So if Luevano can tie up matches with Cristobal and WBC Champ Jorge Linares in the near future then we may get to see Luevano in mouth watering match ups against super featherweight stars such as Edwin Valero and Rocky Juarez.
Boxing Capital wishes Steve the best of luck in his attempt to unify the division and will be keeping a close eye on his career. At the age of 27, Luevano has the time, and talent, to develop into a genuine boxing super star.
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