SHAKUR STEVENSON proposed to partner Young Lyric after beating Oscar Valdez to become WBC featherweight champion.
The New Jersey-native handed Valdez the first defeat of his career to snatch the belt away on a thrilling night in Las Vegas.
Stevenson, 24, claimed victory by unanimous decision, triumphing on the scorecards 117-110, 118-109 and 119-109.
The 5ft 7in former Olympian largely went punch for punch with Valdez in the early rounds, before taking control of the bout.
Mexican former champ Valdez had previously been 30-0 in what’s been a glittering career to date.
After seeing off the 31-year-old, Stevenson was joined by his entourage in the ring, including his girlfriend.
While being interviewed by Bernardo Osuna, Stevenson got down on one knee and proposed to Young Lyric, saying: “I love you. Will you marry me?”
Lyric, mother to Stevenson’s daughter, was visibly emotional – saying “yes” before embracing her new fiance.
Prior to his proposal, the newly-crowned unified junior lightweight champion had said: “This victory means everything.”
It was a big night of boxing in the US, with Irish superstar Katie Taylor making history over at Madison Square Garden in Manhatten, New York.
The 35-year-old defeated Amanda Serrano at a sold out Garden via a hotly-contested split decision following an epic back-and-forth battle.
Taylor – who edged it 97-93, 96-93 and and 94-96 to win promoter Eddie Hearn a £1million side bet with US rival promoters Jake Paul – snapped up the offer of a rerun.
She roared: “Let’s do it again Amanda. What a fighter Amanda Serrano is.
“I think we are both winners here – look at what we have both done – sold out Madison Square Garden.
“The biggest fight in female boxing history and both of us have broken so many barriers over our whole careers.”
