The WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson successfully defended his belt on Saturday night with a unanimous decision victory over Artem Harutyunyan at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
Despite his tactical dominance, Stevenson faced boos from the crowd, with some fans leaving the venue early. Harutyunyan managed to go the distance, resulting in scorecards of 119-109, 118-110, and 116-112 in favor of Stevenson.
Stevenson attributed the lackluster fight to Harutyunyan’s approach. “He was just trying to make sure he survived,” Stevenson said. “I would’ve wanted him to try a little harder so it could be a more fun fight. I did everything I could to get him out of there too. I think the boos were because of him, he didn’t really try to make a fight.”
Stevenson, wearing a T-shirt featuring his former promoter Bob Arum and IBF lightweight champion Vasyl Lomachenko, hinted at future matchups. The shirt’s message read: “Bob is saving his son from this ass-whooping.”
Now a free agent, Stevenson is eager for bigger fights. “I wanna fight the best fighters in boxing,” he stated. “That’s how you’re going to get the best version of me when you put me in the ring with somebody else that wants to fight back and compete.”
At 27, with a perfect 22-0 record as a three-weight world champion, Stevenson is expected to receive numerous offers for his next bout. Only time will tell who will promote his upcoming fights.
