Shakur Stevenson Looks to Shine Bright in Hometown Title Defense Against Artem Harutyunyan

Shakur Stevenson, the talented southpaw from Newark, New Jersey, is set to defend his WBC lightweight title against Artem Harutyunyan in his hometown’s Prudential Center. Stevenson, a silver medalist at the Olympics, has established himself among the pound-for-pound best in boxing, but faces criticism after a lackluster performance against Edwin De Los Santos.

The fight’s timing coincided with Formula 1‘s debut in Las Vegas, adding to the anticipation that fell short. Stevenson, signed with Top Rank and ESPN, aims to redeem himself against Harutyunyan, despite entering the bout as a massive favorite.

Artem Harutyunyan, a defensive fighter criticized for avoiding exchanges much like Stevenson’s last opponent, enters the ring coming off a loss against Frank Martin. Stevenson’s future as a promotional free agent adds intrigue to his performance, with potential matchups against top names like Vasiliy Lomachenko and Gervonta Davis.

Following his cautious win over De Los Santos, Stevenson faces pressure to deliver a standout performance against Harutyunyan to solidify his status as a top talent in the sport. Despite the criticism, Stevenson remains confident in his skills and seeks to quiet doubters and land big fights.

The undercard features promising prospects like O’Shaquie Foster and Keyshawn Davis, with fans eagerly awaiting Stevenson’s showcase in his hometown to witness his boxing acumen against Harutyunyan.