By Sean Crose
Last weekend, Shakur Stevenson, the WBC lightweight champion, defended his title and maintained his undefeated streak with a record of 21-0 in his hometown of Newark, New Jersey. He faced off against Artem Harutyunyan, who had a record of 12-1, in a 12-round match that headlined an ESPN Top Rank card.
The early rounds saw both boxers assessing each other. Stevenson used his left-handed stance and precise jabs to dictate the rhythm against the determined Harutyunyan. The match proceeded at a measured pace in the subsequent rounds, with Stevenson gradually asserting his control by the fourth round.
Stevenson displayed his accuracy and expertise in landing effective punches in the later rounds, while Harutyunyan seemed to struggle with tiredness. Despite Stevenson’s dominance, some viewers were unhappy with the lack of intense back-and-forth exchanges.
Throughout the fight, Stevenson maintained his lead, but some observers noted his lack of a killer instinct or knockout power that could have added excitement. Nonetheless, Stevenson won the decision in the twelfth round, confirming his status as a skilled fighter, although he may face challenges in connecting with fans on a more emotional level.
*Images: Top Rank
