Shakur Stevenson entered Saturday’s bout with Artem Harutyunyan understanding there was further weight to placed on an excellent present within the final battle of his present take care of Prime Rank. Stevenson did not handle to mild the boxing world on hearth along with his efficiency, however he did choose up a transparent unanimous choice victory to retain his WBC light-weight championship.
Regardless of being an elite pound-for-pound fighter, Stevenson entered the ring coming off an abysmally boring win over Edwin De Los Santos the place simply 105 punches related for each males mixed. With free company looming, Stevenson’s worth as an attraction was at a low level. This made Harutyunyan an odd alternative of opponent with a considerably adverse type that saved him aggressive in a battle with Frank Martin earlier than dropping on the scorecards. The worst fears of how the battle may play out got here to life within the opening spherical with the fighters touchdown a mixed 5 punches.
Harutyunyan’s makes an attempt to stroll ahead have been countered by Stevenson’s backstepping and distance administration, a tactically right choice however one which had the gang loudly booing by the center of the third spherical. Harutyunyan appeared to be centered on working to the physique to negate Stevenson’s slick protection and sharp footwork.
By the late levels of the third, Stevenson appeared to seek out his vary and timing, throwing with a bit extra pressure when Harutyunyan would fall into the unsuitable distance or open too huge on his assaults. With that got here extra of Stevenson because the aggressor, strolling Harutyunyan down and imposing his will.
After grabbing management of the battle, Stevenson walked again to his nook after Spherical 4 and introduced, “I will cease him.” Earlier than lengthy, it appeared a Stevenson stoppage was all however inevitable, with the champion rattling Harutyunyan to the physique and head with regularity.
Issues began to slip away from that inevitability within the second half of the battle, with Stevenson not stringing punches collectively and having hassle pinning Harutyunyan down. At instances, Stevenson grew annoyed with Harutyunyan transferring across the ring to keep away from exchanges. Different instances, Harutyunyan once more was the aggressor, throwing combos whereas Stevenson relied on his protection to keep away from any significant harm however not following by with counters.
Harutyunyan survived to the ultimate bell, by no means struggling a knockdown, as he did in his battle with Martin. Because of this, the gang did boo as the ultimate bell sounded.
The win was by no means doubtful for Stevenson and the 119-109, 118-110, 116-112 scorecards felt like little greater than a formality, however Stevenson’s efficiency will not do a lot to quiet the issues that he won’t ever show a significant star and leaves many questions on his worth as he now goes in quest of his subsequent promoter.
“He stated he needed to carry his trainers, that is what he advised me earlier,” Stevenson stated after the battle. “It is sort of onerous to show [that I’m the guy] for those who do not bought a fighter attempting to battle again. He was simply attempting to outlive. He is an excellent fighter and he is robust however I wished him to strive a bit of tougher. … I believe the boos have been most likely due to him. He wasn’t attempting to make the battle.”