SHAKUR Stevenson returns dwelling tomorrow night to defend his WBC light-weight title in opposition to Artem Harutyunyan within the Prudential Heart, Newark.
Initially, Shakur isn’t shopping for his opponent’s “keep humble” act. Harutyunyan has returned to the States utilizing the identical time-honoured methods frequently employed by Manny Pacquiao: grinning and complimenting his opponent earlier than unleashing the total drive on them within the ring.
“I’m not falling for that. You’re making an attempt to behave actual humble and butter me up and act such as you’re probably not coming right here to win. No, you’re coming right here to win, bro. I already know. He doesn’t sound as assured as I assumed he would sound. Hopefully, he’s coming to combat,” said Stevenson.
“I’m going to take him to a stage he’s by no means been on. I’m simply going to be myself. I’m going to come back out and present my expertise and present my ranges. I feel I’m probably the greatest within the sport of boxing at hit and don’t get hit.
“There’s a sure approach of doing that, and I need to present the followers that each one that shifting round is one thing I don’t actually need to do. I can sit within the pocket and beat you up, too.”
Nonetheless a relative unknown, Harutyunyan at the very least provided 12 rounds of motion final July to present followers a style of what he’s all about. He turned out to be an extremely sturdy and tough buyer who gave Frank Martin all he may deal with in Las Vegas. On that event, ‘The Ghost’ prevailed on factors, preserved his unbeaten report, swerved Shakur Stevenson and finally earned a shot at Gervonta Davis.
Frank Martin at Wednesday’s closing press convention.
The latter befell just a few weeks in the past (on June 15) and Frank was bombed out in spherical eight. Harutyunyan is hoping to fare a lot better in opposition to three-weight world champion Stevenson.
“I used to be born in Armenia, and I grew up in Germany. I’ve come all the way in which right here to combat Shakur Stevenson in his hometown. It’s a giant alternative for me. I’ll do my greatest and provides an amazing combat,” he stated.
“I got here to Las Vegas final yr. I used to be combating Frank Martin. It was an amazing combat. I do know Frank Martin is aware of he misplaced the combat. I advised all people that I might be again within the States. And now it’s occurred. I’m again right here.
“It’s an amazing alternative. I had an amazing coaching camp, and I’m effectively ready. I’m prepared for this combat. I do know Shakur Stevenson is an efficient fighter. He’s a world champion. We each fought on the Olympic video games. He’s a silver medalist, and I’m a bronze medalist. Now we’re combating for the world championship.”
