Quebec, Canada-residing, Haiti-born Adonis “Superman” Stevenson was one of Canada’s most accomplished boxers as an amateur and professional.
However, the real story of triumph for Stevenson is what he endured, survived, and defeated after his last bout.
Stevenson was the middleweight champion of the Province of Quebec, Canada, in 2004. He won the Canadian national titles in 2005 and 2006 and was named best amateur fighter in Canada in the same years. Stevenson won silver at the Commonwealth Games in 2006 in Melbourne, Australia. He was Canada’s only fighter to medal at the games.
Stevenson turned pro late (age 29) but accomplished a lot in his 12-year, 29-2-1 (24 KOs) career.
Adonis would go 13-0 in his first 3 years as a pro before being stopped by veteran Darnell Boone.
Then from 20111-2013, he would bang off 7 wins, including a revenge win over Boone. This led to a title eliminator against Chicago hopeful Don George. The 12th round stoppage over George would land him a world title shot in June of 2013.
Stevenson made the most of his title try with a KO 1 over Chad Dawson in front of his hometown faithful in Montreal.
Adonis Stevenson was now the WBC light heavyweight world champion.
Over the next 5 years, Stevenson would rack up 9 title defenses (8-0-1, 6 KOs), establishing himself as the boss of the 175-pound class.
However, after his draw with Badou Jack in May 2018, he would face undefeated Oleksandr Gvozdyk in December of 2018 to close out the year.
The fight would be his last, and his life would be forever changed. Gvozdyk stopped Stevenson in round 11 by TKO to claim the WBC and Lineal titles.
Gvozdyk had dropped Stevenson in the opening of the 3rd round, incorrectly ruled a slip by the referee. Gvozdyk was busy, but Stevenson had success landing harder shots.
However, as the fight went on, Stevenson seemed to be tiring. After being hurt in the 10th, Gvozdyk battled back with a 10-punch flurry in round 11 that sent Stevenson down for good. At the time of the stoppage, Stevenson was ahead on all 3 cards.
Badly hurt, Stevenson was taken to a local hospital after the fight. The next morning, boxing fans woke up to the news that Stevenson was in intensive care. The following day, his condition was changed to stable from critical, and he was placed in an induced coma requiring medical assistance to breathe.
With slow but steady improvements, by February, Stevenson had moved to a medical facility in Montreal to continue treatment for his recovery.
Today, while not completely injury-free from the devastating bout, Stevenson is talking, mobile, and getting stronger and stronger. Most importantly, Stevenson’s cognitive function has continued to improve.
From concussive brain trauma to a coma, to eventual recovery, Stevenson has simply amazed doctors.
Grateful to be alive and healthy, Stevenson holds no grudge against the sport that almost ended his life, but in truth gave him a life.
“Boxing saved me, saved me from the streets. How could I regret something that made me feel good? It was an accident that happened in the fight with Gvozdyk.”
One of Canada’s best amateurs, to a long-reigning world champion – what a career!
Then in the biggest battle of his life, for his life, Stevenson comes out victorious.
Now that’s a champion. “Superman” indeed!