SHAKUR DEFEATS ARTEM: Stevenson Wins Again but looks to accomplish more

A homecoming fight for WBC lightweight world champion Shakur Stevenson ended in victory. The Newark fans were left wanting to see more from the champion against an opponent he was expected to beat, but the challenger Artem Harutyunyan did not make it easy for Stevenson to secure the victory. Shakur Stevenson may be his own biggest critic, but will have to do more to silence the others.

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After winnng the WBC lightweight world title in his fight against Edwin De Los Santos, Shakur Stevenson was eager to make a statement in his first defence of the world title. The crowd in Newark, New Jersey showed out as almost 10,000 hometown fans came to show support for the world champion Shakur Stevenson. It was also Shakur's last fight with promotional company Top Rank, so everything was pointing toward a dominating performance from Stevenson.

Both fighters looked to establish their range in the early rounds, with the challenger on the front foot. A lot of punches were close to the target, but Stevenson proved difficult to find. As a true defensive specialist, Stevenson is talented at making his opponents miss. The incredibly elusive champion made Artem pay on occasion, but not enough to please the fans in attendance or watching at home.

In what resulted out to be another comfortable victory for Shakur Stevenson, the hope is that now is the time to take on the very best in the lightweight division. Stevenson (22-0, 10 KOs) is looking to secure a big name opponent in future and a fight with aggressive contender William Zepeda is on the cards. It will be interesting to see how Stevenson fares against opponents of a much higher quality and how much his style would adapt to the challenge.

If Shakur wants to continue building his profile as one of the world's best fighters, then he has to be involved in more memorabl fights. That does not mean taking more punches, but delivering more punches. More spiteful, hurtful punches that will get the crowd out of their seat. Stevenson is still on course to become one of the faces of boxing's new era but what fights will the fans remember him for. That is yet to be seen.

- AE