“The dude who gave Frank Martin hell”: Shakur Stevenson Defends His Olympic Bronze Medalist Opponent Against Fans Criticism

After his short-lived retirement, Shakur Stevenson is planning for a power-packed comeback. Per sources, the WBC lightweight champion has entered talks with Artem Harutyunyan for a potential showdown. While he’d have hoped for a welcome louder than ever for this undertaking, fans seemed unimpressed with the choice of opponent. In response, the New Jersey-origin has called critics out for their “contradiction.”

Earlier, the 26-year-old fighter had announced that he would enter the second stage of his career, where his goal is to chase greatness. As he made the vow, he also confirmed that he would enter the ring on the 6th of July at New Jersey’s Prudential Centre against an unnamed opponent. However, now, a name has emerged, and Harutyunyan might be the next big challenge for ‘Sugar.’

Shakur Stevenson Confident of his choice of opponent

On his Instagram stories, the Southpaw took cognizance of the immense flak he’s been receiving ever since news of his potential fight against ‘The Orignal’ emerged. He wrote to all those who disapprove of the choice reeling in a social media report of the fight: “Don’t contradict yourself boxings fans this the dude who gave Frank Martin hell and everybody said he was a good fighter.. He won a bronze in the Olympics I ain’t sleeping on em.”

The fight will be Germany-based fighter, Harutyunyan’s first fight in almost a year. In July last year, he took a major scathe on his record, his first, when Frank Martin defeated him in a Las Vegas fight on points. The showdown was riveting till the end. If the Armenian fighter had dominated the 12th round, the fight would have been ruled a draw. However, he was dropped by Martin in the 12th round.

Further backing his choice for Harutyunyan as an opponent, Sugar rooted another Instagram story. This time he was replying to a shoutout by another user concerning the potential fight. He noted, “⁠Kill season in full effect I dont plan on letting this go to distance.”

While public opinion might not favor Harutyunyan as an opponent, his run in the sport speaks otherwise. In the 2016 Olympics, he represented Germany and took home the Bronze medal. The following year, he turned pro and remained undefeated until last year. Today, he remains as a notable fighter with a record of 12-1, 7 wins through knockouts.

The choice of opponent has raised some eyebrows among his fan base. However, Stevenson remains certain that he will dominate the fight. This was his promise even before Artem Harutyunyan was seen as his potential opponent.

The Monster…

Earlier, on his Instagram, the fighter uploaded a video of his workout regime, as he prepared for his looming July fight. In the caption, he declared himself as the best fighter of this era. He remarked, “July 6th I’m back and they woke a monster up.. I’m the best fighter in the sport take it how u wanna Everyone gets punished from here on out see yall then.”

He persisted in the tone on his X handle too. He wrote, “Had no discipline for the first half of my career and done a lot of amazing things off of being talented we are now entering the 2nd stage of my career where I dedicate my life to this like I been supposed to do.. July 6th will be Movie.”

Will this movie bring his glory back into the sport? Do you approve of Artem Harutyunyan as his next opponent? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.

Also Read: Shakur Stevenson’s Next Fight Branded as “Another Snooze Fest” After Potential Opponent Revelation Disappoints Fans