Shakur Stevenson faces Harutyunyan as free agency looms
Lightweight titlist takes issue with Top Rank's promotional efforts, but Bob Arum says, 'He's a terrific fighter. We’d love to re-sign him'
A note to Fight Freaks Unite readers: I created Fight Freaks Unite in January 2021 and eight months later it also became available for paid subscriptions for additional content — and as a way to help keep this newsletter going and for readers to support independent journalism. If you haven’t upgraded to a paid subscription please consider it. If you have already, I truly appreciate it! Also, consider a gift subscription for the Fight Freak in your life.
Shakur Stevenson’s next fight is one of firsts and lasts. He heads into his first WBC lightweight title defense against Artem Harutyunyan but the bout is also the last of a long-term promotional contract with Top Rank.
Both subjects have been at the forefront of the buildup to the bout, which is the main event of the Top Rank Boxing on ESPN card Saturday (ESPN, ESPN Deportes, ESPN+, 8:30 p.m. ET) at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, Stevenson’s hometown.
Stevenson brought up his impending free agency before a question was even posed about it during an interview with Fight Freaks Unite.
Asked about the significance of fighting at home, where this will be his third bout of his last four, and fourth overall, at Prudential Center, where he has proven to be a draw, Stevenson said, “It means everything to me. I hope that everybody comes out to support. I know that my promotional company is not trying to promote the fight properly because I haven’t re-signed with them. I just pray that the same people been coming out for me keep coming out for me, and just show up and enjoy the show.”
Stevenson has been with Top Rank since he signed with the company following winning a silver medal at the 2016 Olympics. Under Top Rank’s guidance, Stevenson has emerged as one of the best fighters in the world. He has won world titles in three divisions — featherweight, junior lightweight and lightweight — unified two belts at junior lightweight with a resounding victory over Oscar Valdez in 2022, and proven to be a gifted defensively.
He is of the opinion that Top Rank has done less to promote Saturday’s fight than it normally would because he declined to sign a contract extension he was offered earlier this year.
I am in my 25th year of full-time boxing coverage. Take advantage of that experience by upgrading to a paid subscription to read the rest of this post and for full access to all posts and comments — and also support independent journalism.