Stevenson prepares to defend world title against Cloud

Haitian-born Canadian Adonis Stevenson defends his World Boxing Council light-heavyweight title for the first time on Saturday when he faces former world champion Tavoris Cloud.

Stevenson, a 36-year-old southpaw, will be counting on hometown advantage in Montreal, having fought all but two of his career fights in the Quebec region. He carries an eight-fight win streak into the matchup.

“I know he has power. He is going to come strong,” Stevenson said. “Whenever he comes, I am knocking him out.”

Stevenson, 21-1 with 18 knockouts, flattened Chad Dawson in only 76 seconds last June to capture his first world title while Cloud, a 31-year-old American who is 24-1 with 19 knockouts, tries to bounce back after the first loss of his career.

In March Cloud lost a unanimous decision and the International Boxing Federation light-heavyweight crown to 48-year-old Bernard Hopkins, the oldest world champion in boxing history who defends that title next month against German Karo Murat.

“Poor Tavoris Cloud,” Stevenson said. “He’s a good boxer. I respect him. He has got power. But he got beat by 48-year-old Bernard Hopkins. And he’s young. That belt is going to stay in Montreal.”