Shakur Stevenson revealed that he suffered injuries to both hands in his recent match against Artem Harutyunyan in Newark, New Jersey. Even though he managed to win by unanimous decision and retain his WBC lightweight title, Stevenson’s performance was criticized for the second time in a row.
In a social media post, Stevenson admitted to the fragility of his hands, saying, “Yeah, both of them. They’re fragile. I’m going to get them stronger in the offseason.” Concerns about his future in the lightweight division have been raised, with some suggesting that retirement might be necessary if his hand issues persist.
Stevenson’s trainer, Derek ‘Bozy’ Ennis, also confirmed the hand injuries and expressed worries about Stevenson’s ability to compete at a high level with this hindrance. Ennis encouraged Stevenson to concentrate on improvement and not be affected by external criticisms.
Despite criticisms of Stevenson’s recent performance, including a lack of aggressiveness and a reluctance to engage in exchanges, Ennis attributed some of these challenges to Harutyunyan’s unorthodox fighting style.
To watch the video interview with YSM Sports Media where Ennis talks about Stevenson’s injuries and performance, click on the provided link.
