Usually, Eddie Hearn is the most talkative person in the room. But after what he saw Saturday night in New York, he's practically speechless.

Shakur Stevenson was expected to beat his mandatory challenger William Zepeda in a battle of two unbeaten champions — the former holding the interim title, the latter a three-division titlist — as they sought to settle a long-running debate.

Considering the Mexican's track record as a relentless puncher, it was supposed to be a difficult night at the office. After a competitive start, The Ring's No. 2-ranked lightweight outclassed Zepeda down the stretch in making the third defense of his WBC world title.

After pocketing a wide unanimous decision across all three scorecards, Hearn sat in his ringside seat with his jaw agape. There aren't many appropriate superlatives that can describe Stevenson, but Hearn did his best to give him the sort of praise he deserves.

"He's just a generationally great fighter," Hearn told iFL TV. "You're just watching a true great."

Hearn has watched Stevenson (24-0, 11 KOs) over the years, but during his last two fights the longtime promoter has worked closely with the unbeaten champion, something he hopes continues after their agreement officially expired after this contest.

For now, though, he's still shaking his head in disbelief. Heading into his showdown with Zepeda, Hearn had all the confidence in the world Stevenson would prevail, but couldn't imagine things playing out the way they did. Hearn doesn't want to take too much time praising the New Jersey native without also giving Zepeda (33-1, 27 KOs) his flowers.

The highly ranked Mexican contender has underrated skills, and in the toughness department he's second to no one.

"Zepeda was brilliant. Nonstop pressure, so tough, so great. He boxed the type of fight you would think would give Shakur problems but he's just too good."