Undefeated WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson will make his first defense of his title on Saturday night in his hometown of Newark, New Jersey. Stevenson will face off against Armenian challenger Artem Harutyunyan in what is expected to be a competitive bout.
Undefeated WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson will put his title on the line for the first time on Saturday night when he faces off against Armenian challenger Artem Harutyunyan in Stevenson's hometown of Newark, New Jersey.
Stevenson Set to Defend WBC Title in Hometown Clash
Stevenson (18-0, 9 KOs) won the WBC title in April with a dominant performance against Oscar Valdez. The 24-year-old is one of the most promising young fighters in the sport and is looking to make a statement in his first title defense.
Harutyunyan (16-0, 11 KOs) is a tough and experienced challenger who has never been defeated. The 30-year-old is coming off a knockout win over former world champion Viktor Postol in his last fight.
The fight is expected to be a competitive one. Stevenson is the more skilled boxer, but Harutyunyan is a powerful puncher and has the experience advantage.
Here is a more detailed breakdown of the fight:
* Excellent boxing skills
* Fast and accurate punching
* Good movement
* Strong chin
* Relatively inexperienced
* Not the biggest puncher
* Power puncher
* Experienced
* Good chin
* Strong work rate
* Not as skilled as Stevenson
* Not as fast or mobile
The fight is expected to be close, but Stevenson is the favorite to win. He is the more skilled boxer and has the home-field advantage. Harutyunyan is a dangerous challenger, but Stevenson should be too much for him.
Prediction: Stevenson wins by unanimous decision.
