Shakur Stevenson retained his WBC lightweight title against Artem Harutyunyan in a solid victory by unanimous decision on Saturday night. Stevenson landed more punches than Harutyunyan, securing his win through judges scores for the fourth time in his last five matches.
Although he didn't achieve a standout victory to enhance his reputation as he enters free agency, Stevenson made a bold statement outside the ring. He sported a T-shirt carrying a direct message aimed at Top Rank's Bob Arum, who was not present at the event. The shirt bore the words "Bob is saving his son from ass whooping," referencing Arum and IBF lightweight champion Vasiliy Lomachenko. Stevenson disclosed that he rejected a lucrative five fight contract worth $15 million from Top Rank, asserting that he understands his value and believes it has risen significantly since he initially signed with them.
Expressing frustration at the lack of career defining fights offered to him during his time under Top Rank's wing, Stevenson criticized his former promoter for failing to arrange significant matchups despite admitting they had developed him appropriately. Stevenson mentioned that he had been unable to secure fights against Lomachenko and Gervonta Davis, expressing his direct interest in facing Lomachenko for an exciting and competitive bout.
Watch Shakur Stevenson’s interview after the fight: Watch
In his post match press conference, Stevenson called out Lomachenko, urging him to step up and criticized his reluctance to accept the challenge. He also reached out to Gervonta Davis with a warning of "Get ready," emphasizing his preference for opponents who are willing to take risks and engage in spirited competition. While uncertain about his future plans, Stevenson did not dismiss the possibility of returning to Top Rank, noting the need for discussions regarding his next steps.
Assessing his performance against Harutyunyan, Stevenson graded himself at a C plus level, recognizing the toughness of his opponent who focused on lasting through all 12 rounds. Stevenson expressed frustration with opponents aiming solely for survival rather than engaging in offensive tactics that could lead to knockouts. Despite striving to entertain the audience by showcasing aggressive boxing and delivering punishment when possible, Stevenson noted Harutyunyan's primary goal was staying upright throughout the fight.
You can read the full Stevenson vs. Harutyunyan event results here.
Image Credit: DAZN