Wanting like a well-dressed financial institution supervisor, challenger Artem Harutyunyan smothered WBC light-weight champion Shakur Stevenson with compliments in the present day throughout their remaining press convention for his or her foremost occasion twelve-round battle this Saturday, July sixth on ESPN on the Prudential Middle in Newark, New Jersey.
(Necessary Credit score: Mikey Williams/High Rank)
Shakur’s Worth on The Line
Harutyunyan (13-1, 7 KOs) buttered up Shakur (21-0, 10 KOs) in an indication of gratitude for being given this golden payday coming off a loss to Frank Martin final yr in July 2023, and never deserving the title shot alternative.
High Rank picked out the 34-year-old Harutyunyan for Shakur’s remaining battle of his contract with them, which might be their means of luring him into re-signing. They may have given Shakur a tricky opponent like William Zepeda, and he might have misplaced to him or, extra seemingly, turned in one other horrible efficiency like his final battle in opposition to Edwin De Los Santos.
That wouldn’t have helped High Rank as a result of it could have made Shakur not price giving a brand new contract to. His worth would sink even decrease than it’s now, and it’s about as unhealthy as it might get for a world champion who started his profession with quite a lot of hype.
High Rank has thrown Shakur a bone by selecting the light-hitting Harutyunyan as an opponent, with him coming off a loss to Frank Martin.
You’ll be able to solely think about the operating that Shakur can be doing if Bob Arum had chosen to present him a very good kick within the rear with a battle in opposition to Zepeda, Abdullah Mason, or Raymond Muralla to ship him out the door as a free agent.
Harutyunyan’s Oscar-Worthy Performing Efficiency
“We each fought within the Olympic video games. He’s a silver medalist, and I’m a bronze medalist. Now, we battle for the world championship, the WBC,” mentioned Artem Harutyunyan throughout in the present day’s remaining press convention for his battle in opposition to WBC light-weight champion Shakur Stevenson this Saturday night time, July sixth, in Newark, New Jersey.
“I’m not falling for that. You’re attempting to behave actual humble, attempting to butter me up such as you’re not coming right here to win. Nah, you’re coming to win. I already know,” mentioned Shakur Stevenson.
“Some folks say I ought to put on trainers on this battle, but it surely’s only a joke,” mentioned Harutyunyan.
“That s*** was a**,” mentioned Shakur.
“Shakur Stevenson, you need to give him respect. Many fighters don’t need to battle with him. Like Shakur as soon as mentioned, ‘They’re all ducking.’ I believe that’s proper, however I took that chance. I need to make this battle occur,” mentioned Harutyunyan. “He’s a very good fighter. Give him the credit score and the respect he deserves, and, in fact, that is going to be an awesome occasion, an awesome night time.
“I need to present the followers a very good boxing match,” mentioned Harutyunyan.
“I’m simply going to take him to a stage he’s by no means been on,” mentioned Shakur.
“You’ll be able to’t evaluate Frank Martin to Shakur Stevenson. Each fighter is totally different,” mentioned Harutyunyan.
