Se is generating the sensation around Shakur Stevenson what it is about a boring boxer and this is beginning to do a lot of damage to the figure of an emerging 27-year-old boxer like him. For now, last night, retained the WBC lightweight title after defeating Artem Harutyunyan by unanimous decision (119-109, 118-110 and 116-112), although fans felt that the lefty from Newark shied away from confrontation.
They were even heard boos at the end of the fight and some images have been seen of fans leaving their seats before the match concluded. This should worry Shakur, although he himself has stated that he would like to improve some attacking skills.
First of all, Stevenson’s triumph was incontestable. He did not let himself be trapped by Harutyunyan and was also infinitely more effective than the German. Yes indeed, His elusive style means that we usually see him counterpunching and retreating. The fans – he fought at home – wanted a more offensive Shakur, but that It will only happen when the rival presents many more difficulties and he has no choice..
As curious as it may seem, rivals like Edwin De Los Santos or Harutyunyan – his last two fights – have not bothered ‘Fearless’, they have not forced him to take risks. At the end of the fight there were some boos from the public and the American defended his performance saying: “This is how you will be able to see the best version of me, when you put me in the ring with someone to fight and compete”. In this sense, he is right, although what the fan asks of the fighter is that if he is capable of dominating an opponent, like last night, he should have the intention and the weapons to try to knock him out.
The champion added about his contender: “I would have liked him to try a little harder, so that the fight would be more fun”. He also admitted something crucial that he must implement if he wants to stand out more in the future: “I have to cut the ring a little more because my rival was going one way and then the other, so I have to go back to the gym and work on cutting the ring”.
And who does Shakur target to demonstrate his skills? Lomachenko: “Wouldn’t that be a fun fight? Someone who would come to try to win. It’s a fun fight to do. It is technically good.” Of course, If Stevenson wants this fight he will have to renew with the promoter Top Rankand for now he has already rejected his first proposal.
