By Paul Strauss: Emanuel Steward has got another live one. He just keeps getting one good fighter after another, and this one (Adonis) kind of dropped in his lap. Manny didn’t even know who “Superman” was. Obviously Manny’s good fortune was not dumb luck. Rather, his reputation as a great trainer lured the Haitian born Canadian to the Kronk Gym in Detroit.
All it took for Manny was first hand to see the power that “Superman” Stevenson possessed. That was enough to convince him that this fighter was special. That was despite the fact that “Superman” was getting a “little long in the tooth” (age 34), and really hadn’t fought anyone of note until his last fight against another Gonzalez. Last February at the Belle Center in Montreal, Canada, he blasted out Jesus Gonzalez with one punch. At the time, Jesus was an undefeated fighter 27-0-0 (14 KO’s). Superman was 17-1-0 (14 KO’s).
The one defeat on Superman’s resume was what worried most folks. In that fight against Darnell Boone, Superman was exposed to a bit of kryptonite and succumbed to defeat by way of a second round TKO. Noe Gonzalez was known to have a little of that substance himself, so there definitely was concern in the Superman camp.
The worry was unnecessary as it only took Superman a little while to size things up and then it was bombs away. What chance did Gonzalez have against a guy with two names like “Adonis” and “Superman”? Sure Noe Gonzalez Alcoba had racked up 20 KO’s himself and only one defeat, but he still had no chance. Okay, maybe he did, but that’s not the way it worked out.
The short fight started with Stevenson pressing a bit, but with plenty of caution. Noe seemed to be trying to get Stevenson to over-extend, so he could lay a counter on him, but Stevenson wasn’t biting. He stayed under control. As the first round progressed, the distance between the two seemed to close a bit.
In the second round, Noe started to be the aggressor. It was either that, or Superman was drawing him in. Regardless, Noe started opening up a bit. All Stevenson needed was for Noe to remain close enough, long enough for him to throw some big shots. When it happened, “Superman’s” big shots blasted right through Noe’s defense. Stevenson is definitely one of those heavy handed fighters, whose punches can land off target and still get the desired results.
In this case, the most damaging punches appeared to be higher up on the head, but they still knocked Noe silly. He remained on his feet, but he probably didn’t know it. Instinctively he fired a few shots back, but he was obviously in big trouble.
Referee Michael Griffin saw the danger, and jumped in to call a halt to the onslaught. By that time, Noe had already been tagged with a couple of very hard shots. Some fans might argue the stoppage was a bit premature, but it was obvious Noe was on his way out. If the referee allowed things to continue, Noe might have been seriously hurt. It was 1:40 of the second round.
With another spectacular knockout on his record, what’s next for “Superman”. Can you say Bute. Chances are they will have to find a bigger arena. The Bell Center would be overflowing. Of course Bute has to get by Carl Froch, and that will be no easy task. If Froch wins, a little travelling music might be in order. What’s a little flying for Superman?
Other action on the card:
Eric Barrack TKO 2 Sandy Pembroke
Schiller Hyppolite UD 4 Martin Desjardins
Oscar Rivas UD 6 Stephane Tessier
Eleider Alvarez UD 8 Rayco Saunders