WBO lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson (21-0, 10 KOs) is set to defend his title against #8 contender Artem Harutyunyan on July 6th at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The fight will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+ at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT, with Sky Sports covering the event in the UK and Ireland.
Stevenson vs. Harutyunyan: A Risk-Averse Choice?
Many fans are disappointed with Stevenson’s choice of opponent, as he has been criticized for avoiding more dangerous contenders. Despite claiming he wanted to face a high-level opponent, Stevenson rejected the challenge from #2 contender Raymond Muratalla in favor of Harutyunyan (12-1, 7 KOs), who is coming off a loss and is considered a less risky fight.
Harutyunyan’s Technical Skills and Challenges
Harutyunyan, a 33-year-old German-Armenian fighter, gave Frank Martin a tough contest last July, dominating the early rounds before succumbing to fatigue in the seventh. Known for his excellent technical skills but questionable stamina, Harutyunyan will need to address his conditioning issues to stand a chance against Stevenson.
Stevenson’s Recent Performance and Criticisms
Stevenson’s last fight against Edwin De Los Santos in November left much to be desired, as he adopted a cautious approach, avoiding powerful exchanges and doing just enough to win by decision. His safety-first style has been a point of contention among fans and critics, who hope to see a more engaging performance in this bout.
The Future for Stevenson
This fight marks the end of Stevenson’s contract with Top Rank, and it’s speculated that he will seek a new promoter to secure more high-profile fights. Stevenson has expressed interest in facing notable names like Gervonta Davis, Emanuel Navarrete, Vasily Lomachenko, and William Zepeda at lightweight.
Co-Feature and Televised Opener
The event also features:
- O’Shaquie Foster vs. Robson Conceição: A WBC junior lightweight title bout.
- Keyshawn Davis vs. Miguel Madueño: A 10-round lightweight contest.
- Abdullah Mason vs. Luis Lebron: An 8-round lightweight clash.
- Damian Knyba vs. Richard Lartey: An 8-round heavyweight bout.
Broadcast Information
The Stevenson vs. Harutyunyan fight will be available live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+ at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT. Fans in the UK can tune in on Sky Sports at 2 a.m. BST (July 7).
