Undefeated Olympic bronze medalist and former WBO featherweight champion Shakur Stevenson earned his 17th professional win by dethroning now former champion Jamel Herring by referee stoppage in the 10th round.

The fight had some animosity leading up to it as Jamel and Shakur had been longtime friends and trained together on many occasions, a relationship that Shakur downplayed heavily going into the fight.

After exciting walkouts in which Shakur was accompanied by Atlanta rapper Quavo and Jamel came out with long time rapper Jadakiss, the fight got off to a fast start for Shakur who quickly established his game plan.

It seemed like Herring was in second gear for most of the fight although he had decent responses in some of the later rounds.

The referee stopped the fight in the 10th round to have the doctor examine a cut on Herrings eye but he was cleared to continue.

Moments after that, amidst a flurry of punches from Stevenson, the fight was stopped. After the fight, both fighters and their teams embraced in a clear attempt to re-establish the friendly rapport that was mired by the build up.

Shakur said in the post fight interview, “now that we not fighting, I love Jamel Herring, he’s definitely my friend.” It remains to be seen what is next for both fighters.