Curtis Stevens' Road to the Middleweight Title

Stevens lost in eighth round to Gennady Golovkin.

Touch Gloves - Many people may have doubted Curtis Stevens as a A-list middleweight boxer, but despite being knocked out by Gennady Golovkin in the second round on Nov. 2, he made it to the eighth round and proved he is worthy of recognition. He may have lost his chance to win the middleweight title this time, but boxing is sure to see more of Stevens. BET.com takes a look at Stevens’ road to the middleweight title. — Dominique Zonyéé(Photo: Courtesy of HBO)

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Touch Gloves - Many people may have doubted Curtis Stevens as a A-list middleweight boxer, but despite being knocked out by Gennady Golovkin in the second round on Nov. 2, he made it to the eighth round and proved he is worthy of recognition. He may have lost his chance to win the middleweight title this time, but boxing is sure to see more of Stevens. BET.com takes a look at Stevens’ road to the middleweight title. — Dominique Zonyéé(Photo: Courtesy of HBO)

A Boxer Is Born - Brownsville, Brooklyn native Curtis Stevens has been boxing since he was 5, but he shifted his energy to football by the time he reached Samuel J. Tilden High School, where he was a star middle backer. “My uncle didn’t understand that I just wanted to play football, even after practice he still made me train for boxing,” Stevens told BET.com.(Photo: Anthony Nesmith/CSM CSM /Landov)

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A Boxer Is Born - Brownsville, Brooklyn native Curtis Stevens has been boxing since he was 5, but he shifted his energy to football by the time he reached Samuel J. Tilden High School, where he was a star middle backer. “My uncle didn’t understand that I just wanted to play football, even after practice he still made me train for boxing,” Stevens told BET.com.(Photo: Anthony Nesmith/CSM CSM /Landov)

The Breakthrough - Stevens’ boxing career began with a promising start: He was the U.S. National Amateur Lightweight in 2002 and quickly progressed to professional level.(Photo: Anthony Nesmith/CSM CSM /Landov)

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The Breakthrough - Stevens’ boxing career began with a promising start: He was the U.S. National Amateur Lightweight in 2002 and quickly progressed to professional level.(Photo: Anthony Nesmith/CSM CSM /Landov)

Photo By Photo: Anthony Nesmith/CSM CSM /Landov

Going Pro - “Showtime” made his pro debut in 2004, gaining recognition for his speed and strength as a feature fighter on ESPN Friday Night Fights. His first match against Henry Dukes on Sept. 30, 2004, would not only mark his first win but his first TKO.(Photo: Anthony Nesmith/CSM CSM /Landov)

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Going Pro - “Showtime” made his pro debut in 2004, gaining recognition for his speed and strength as a feature fighter on ESPN Friday Night Fights. His first match against Henry Dukes on Sept. 30, 2004, would not only mark his first win but his first TKO.(Photo: Anthony Nesmith/CSM CSM /Landov)

Winning Streak - Since he turning pro in 2004, “Showtime” would live up to his nickname with a two-year streak of wins, including six TKOs out of 14 fights through 2006.(Photo: Anthony Nesmith/CSM CSM /Landov)

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Winning Streak - Since he turning pro in 2004, “Showtime” would live up to his nickname with a two-year streak of wins, including six TKOs out of 14 fights through 2006.(Photo: Anthony Nesmith/CSM CSM /Landov)

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An Unexpected Loss - The first lost of his career would come fighting against the most unsuspected opponent. When Stevens fought Marcos Primera on July 20, 2006, in New York, Primera had 27 losses, and a less than stellar record. But he had luck on his side, beating Stevens after right rounds for the Youth World Super middleweight title.(Photo: Anthony Nesmith/CSM CSM /Landov)

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An Unexpected Loss - The first lost of his career would come fighting against the most unsuspected opponent. When Stevens fought Marcos Primera on July 20, 2006, in New York, Primera had 27 losses, and a less than stellar record. But he had luck on his side, beating Stevens after right rounds for the Youth World Super middleweight title.(Photo: Anthony Nesmith/CSM CSM /Landov)

Avenge and Revenge - Stevens avenged the only defeat in his career (at the time) with a rematch against Primera in November of the same year.  Although fans and friends pushed for the knockout, he won after the eighth round, illustrating  “composure and patience” in what boxing promoter Lou DiBella said was “one of his best fights.”(Photo: Anthony Nesmith/CSM CSM /Landov)

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Avenge and Revenge - Stevens avenged the only defeat in his career (at the time) with a rematch against Primera in November of the same year.  Although fans and friends pushed for the knockout, he won after the eighth round, illustrating  “composure and patience” in what boxing promoter Lou DiBella said was “one of his best fights.”(Photo: Anthony Nesmith/CSM CSM /Landov)

Career Blows - Stevens wouldn’t sing “Redemption Song” for long; he suffered another loss less than a year later on June 16, 2007, against Andre Dirrell. He bounced back and won all four fights through 2009, but on Jan. 29, 2010, lost to Jesse Brinkley for the WBC USNBC Super middleweight title. (Photo: Anthony Nesmith/CSM CSM /Landov)

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Career Blows - Stevens wouldn’t sing “Redemption Song” for long; he suffered another loss less than a year later on June 16, 2007, against Andre Dirrell. He bounced back and won all four fights through 2009, but on Jan. 29, 2010, lost to Jesse Brinkley for the WBC USNBC Super middleweight title. (Photo: Anthony Nesmith/CSM CSM /Landov)

“Don’t Call It a Comeback” - The loss against Brinkley was a tough one, as Stevens put on a great fight that lasted all 12 rounds, showing off his punching skills, trading connecting right hooks and blows with Brinkley, but lost in an undecided decision. Stevens took two years off, resurfacing in 2012 when he knocked out Romero Johnson in March.(Photo: Anthony Nesmith/CSM CSM /Landov)

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“Don’t Call It a Comeback” - The loss against Brinkley was a tough one, as Stevens put on a great fight that lasted all 12 rounds, showing off his punching skills, trading connecting right hooks and blows with Brinkley, but lost in an undecided decision. Stevens took two years off, resurfacing in 2012 when he knocked out Romero Johnson in March.(Photo: Anthony Nesmith/CSM CSM /Landov)

Coming for That No. 1 Spot - "While I was off for two years, I saw Golovkin fight a couple of times,” Stevens said.  “I thought ‘They are still promoting him as the most feared middleweight in the world,’ so I wanted to take on his task.” K2 Promotions announced Golovkin vs. Stevens on Aug. 29.(Photo: Will Hart)

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Coming for That No. 1 Spot - "While I was off for two years, I saw Golovkin fight a couple of times,” Stevens said.  “I thought ‘They are still promoting him as the most feared middleweight in the world,’ so I wanted to take on his task.” K2 Promotions announced Golovkin vs. Stevens on Aug. 29.(Photo: Will Hart)

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No Worries - Training since September, Stevens is more prepared than ever to take on Golovkin, who has a record of 27 wins, 24 knockouts, and no losses. “The difference between me and him is that I could box,” Stevens said,  “I could get on my toes and move.”(Photo: Al Bello/Getty Images)

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No Worries - Training since September, Stevens is more prepared than ever to take on Golovkin, who has a record of 27 wins, 24 knockouts, and no losses. “The difference between me and him is that I could box,” Stevens said,  “I could get on my toes and move.”(Photo: Al Bello/Getty Images)

Psyching Himself up - No matter the opponent, “Showtime” is known for pre-game banter and trash talk. “People like controversy, so I give the people what they want,” Stevens said. He made headlines in September when he taunted Golovkin, with a series of tweets, featuring photos of a coffin that read: RIP. “That was to let him know that on Nov. 2 his career is over,” Stevens said.(Photo: Twitter via Curtis Stevens)

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Psyching Himself up - No matter the opponent, “Showtime” is known for pre-game banter and trash talk. “People like controversy, so I give the people what they want,” Stevens said. He made headlines in September when he taunted Golovkin, with a series of tweets, featuring photos of a coffin that read: RIP. “That was to let him know that on Nov. 2 his career is over,” Stevens said.(Photo: Twitter via Curtis Stevens)

It’s Going Down - “This fight is going to get me back to where I need to be,” Stevens said, “I want everyone to go put their money on Golovkin…so I can get more cash.” Stevens takes on Golovkin on Saturday, Nov. 2, in the Theater at Madison Square Garden at 9 p.m.  The fight will also be televised live on HBO. (Photo: Will Hart)

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It’s Going Down - “This fight is going to get me back to where I need to be,” Stevens said, “I want everyone to go put their money on Golovkin…so I can get more cash.” Stevens takes on Golovkin on Saturday, Nov. 2, in the Theater at Madison Square Garden at 9 p.m.  The fight will also be televised live on HBO. (Photo: Will Hart)

A "Knockout" Performance - While Curtis Stevens raised expectations on Saturday, Nov. 2, he was unable to defend himself against Gennady Golovkin’s jab.  Stevens was knocked out in the second round, following a blow to the jaw.  Although he came back for more, making it to eight rounds, Stevens lost to Golovkin and did not obtain the middleweight title.  (Photo: Al Bello/Getty Images)

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A "Knockout" Performance - While Curtis Stevens raised expectations on Saturday, Nov. 2, he was unable to defend himself against Gennady Golovkin’s jab.  Stevens was knocked out in the second round, following a blow to the jaw.  Although he came back for more, making it to eight rounds, Stevens lost to Golovkin and did not obtain the middleweight title.  (Photo: Al Bello/Getty Images)