Wanting like a well-dressed financial institution supervisor, challenger Artem Harutyunyan smothered WBC light-weight champion Shakur Stevenson with compliments right this moment throughout their closing press convention for his or her foremost occasion twelve-round combat this Saturday, July sixth on ESPN on the Prudential Middle in Newark, New Jersey.

Shakur’s Worth on The Line

Harutyunyan (13-1, 7 KOs) buttered up Shakur (21-0, 10 KOs) in an indication of gratitude for being given this golden payday coming off a loss to Frank Martin final yr in July 2023, and never deserving the title shot alternative.

High Rank picked out the 34-year-old Harutyunyan for Shakur’s closing combat of his contract with them, which could possibly be their method of luring him into re-signing. They might have given Shakur a tricky opponent like William Zepeda, and he might have misplaced to him or, extra probably, turned in one other horrible efficiency like his final combat towards Edwin De Los Santos.

That wouldn’t have helped High Rank as a result of it might have made Shakur not value giving a brand new contract to. His worth would sink even decrease than it’s now, and it’s about as dangerous as it might get for a world champion who started his profession with a number of hype.

High Rank has thrown Shakur a bone by selecting the light-hitting Harutyunyan as an opponent, with him coming off a loss to Frank Martin.

You’ll be able to solely think about the operating that Shakur can be doing if Bob Arum had chosen to provide him a great kick within the rear with a combat towards Zepeda, Abdullah Mason, or Raymond Muralla to ship him out the door as a free agent.

Harutyunyan’s Oscar-Worthy Appearing Efficiency

“We each fought within the Olympic video games. He’s a silver medalist, and I’m a bronze medalist. Now, we combat for the world championship, the WBC,” mentioned Artem Harutyunyan throughout right this moment’s closing press convention for his combat towards WBC light-weight champion Shakur Stevenson this Saturday evening, July sixth, in Newark, New Jersey.

“I’m not falling for that. You’re making an attempt to behave actual humble, making an attempt to butter me up such as you’re not coming right here to win. Nah, you’re coming to win. I already know,” mentioned Shakur Stevenson.

“Some folks say I ought to put on trainers on this combat, however it’s only a joke,” mentioned Harutyunyan.

“That s*** was a**,” mentioned Shakur.

“Shakur Stevenson, it’s a must to give him respect. Many fighters don’t need to combat with him. Like Shakur as soon as mentioned, ‘They’re all ducking.’ I feel that’s proper, however I took that chance. I need to make this combat occur,” mentioned Harutyunyan. “He’s a great fighter. Give him the credit score and the respect he deserves, and, in fact, that is going to be an important occasion, an important evening.

“I need to present the followers a great boxing match,” mentioned Harutyunyan.

“I’m simply going to take him to a degree he’s by no means been on,” mentioned Shakur.

“You’ll be able to’t evaluate Frank Martin to Shakur Stevenson. Each fighter is completely different,” mentioned Harutyunyan.