SHAKUR Stevenson returns house tomorrow night to defend his WBC light-weight title in opposition to Artem Harutyunyan within the Prudential Center, Newark.
First and foremost, Shakur isn’t shopping for his opponent’s “stay humble” act. Harutyunyan has returned to the States utilizing the identical time-honoured methods commonly employed by Manny Pacquiao: grinning and complimenting his opponent earlier than unleashing the total power on them within the ring.
“I’m not falling for that. You’re trying to act real humble and butter me up and act like you’re not really coming here to win. No, you’re coming here to win, bro. I already know. He doesn’t sound as confident as I thought he would sound. Hopefully, he’s coming to fight,” acknowledged 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 return out and present my expertise and present my ranges. I feel I’m the most effective within the sport of boxing at hit and don’t get hit.
“There’s a certain way of doing that, and I want to show the fans that all that moving around is something I don’t really have to do. I can sit in the pocket and beat you up, too.”
Still a relative unknown, Harutyunyan a minimum of supplied 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 might deal with in Las Vegas. On that event, ‘The Ghost’ prevailed on factors, preserved his unbeaten report, swerved Shakur Stevenson and ultimately earned a shot at Gervonta Davis.
Frank Martin at Wednesday’s closing press convention.
The latter befell a couple of 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 was born in Armenia, and I grew up in Germany. I’ve come all the way here to fight Shakur Stevenson in his hometown. It’s a big opportunity for me. I will do my best and give a great fight,” he stated.
“I got here to Las Vegas final yr. I used to be preventing Frank Martin. It was an excellent battle. I do know Frank Martin is aware of he misplaced the battle. I informed everyone that I’d be again within the States. And now it’s occurred. I’m again right here.
“It’s a great opportunity. I had a great training camp, and I’m well prepared. I’m ready for this fight. I know Shakur Stevenson is a good fighter. He is a world champion. We both fought at the Olympic games. He is a silver medalist, and I’m a bronze medalist. Now we’re fighting for the world championship.”
Source link
