By: Sean Crose
Gervonta Davis. Vasyl Lomachenko. Devin Haney. Teofimo Lopez. These males are all within the common weight realm of WBC light-weight champion Shakur Stevenson. With a document of twenty-one wins in opposition to zero losses, the twenty-seven yr outdated Stevenson can be a excessive profile opponent for any of the aforementioned names. Stevenson is extra than simply an undefeated titlist, in spite of everything. He’s considered some of the gifted fighters on the planet. Extremely expert and at occasions enthralling, the product of Newark, New Jersey, is sweet – superb – maybe too good for his personal good.
Stevenson, in spite of everything, has been accused of being a boring fighter. But, though he’s not a knockout artist, it was the person’s final combat – a twelve spherical snooze fest in opposition to Edwin De Los Santos final November – that really raised eyebrows. Whereas there was little doubt Stevenson masterfully bested De Los Santos that night time, the query of why Stevenson didn’t step it up and cease De Los Santos throughout the distance, or at the very least look really engaged, began making the rounds. Stevenson himself admitted he was sad along with his efficiency. Boxing, being a enterprise at the very least as a lot as it’s a sport, doesn’t smile on fighters who don’t generate some type of pleasure both in or out of the ring. Stevenson, greater than anybody, is aware of he has to on the very least entertain so as to earn the type of fame and challenges he needs.
A technique for Stevenson to generate the type of buzz that attracts in eyeballs and accolades is for the Prime Rank promoted fighter to impress this weekend when he takes on Artem Harutyunyan Saturday night time in his hometown of Newark, New Jersey. Germany’s Harutyunan boasts a document of twelve and one, having solely tasted defeat for the primary time his final combat, the place he was decisioned by Frank Martin. In different phrases, Harutyunyan isn’t any tomato can. The thirty-three yr outdated picks his photographs effectively and possesses energy despite the very fact his document of getting simply seven knockout wins doesn’t point out as a lot.
After all, a loss to Harutyunyan can be disastrous for Stevenson at this level in his profession. A powerful win, nonetheless, will assist the multi division titlist be that a lot tougher for different prime fighters to keep away from. It’s time the person is in a significant matchup. With each Lopez and Lomachenko combating beneath the Prime Rank banner, that main matchup may very well be nearer than it appears.
