Artem Harutyunyan (12-1, 7 KOs) has a shot at changing into world champion in opposition to Shakur Stevenson (21-0, 10 KOs) on July 6.
The 2 lightweights headline a High Rank card – in affiliation with Universum Boxing – on the Prudential Heart in Newark, NJ. Battle followers in the USA can catch the motion reside on ESPN, ESPN+ and ESPN Deportes. These in the UK and Eire can accomplish that on Sky Sports activities whereas TSN will carry the occasion for these in Canada. Stevenson might be making the primary defence of his WBC light-weight title, a belt he gained in opposition to Edwin De Los Santos in November final yr.
Forward of his conflict in opposition to Stevenson, Massive Battle Weekend seems at who Harutyunyan is.
Introducing Artem Harutyunyan?
Early Life and Beginner Profession
Harutyunyan was born in Armenia however moved to Hamburg, Germany, searching for asylum together with his household whereas nonetheless a toddler. Born to a father who taught karate within the Soviet Union army, he started practising taekwondo at six earlier than taking over boxing at 10. His brother, Robert, has additionally boxed on the novice stage and professionally.
As an novice, Harutyunyan was among the many prime boxers from Germany. In 2013, he gained a bronze medal on the European Beginner Boxing Championships that befell in Minsk, Belarus, as a brilliant light-weight. He later certified for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. At that match, he defeated Movladdin Biyarslanov and Botirzhon Akhmedov earlier than dropping to Lorenzo Sotomayor within the semifinals. Making it to that stage meant he left Brazil with a bronze medal. After yet one more yr within the novice ranks, Harutyunyan launched into his skilled journey.
The Skilled Ranks
In November 2017, Harutyunyan turned skilled at tremendous light-weight in opposition to Avelino Vazquez in Hamburg. He gained the six-round contest on factors. By his fifth bout he was preventing 10-rounders and was working his method up the rankings. Nevertheless, in 2021, Harutyunyan moved right down to light-weight and defeated the likes of Samuel Molina and Humberto Galindo. Finally, a possibility to face Frank Martin in the USA offered itself.
Harutyunyan saved issues aggressive in opposition to Martin, nevertheless it was the ultimate three rounds that misplaced him the combat. The American fighter elevated the quantity of his punches and was getting the higher of Harutyunyan. A conflict of heads in spherical 10 solely made issues worse for the German. Martin ultimately induced Harutyunyan to take a knee within the twelfth and though he bought up and made it to the ultimate bell, the combat had already been misplaced. Martin gained the combat – with scores of 115-112 (x2) and 114-113.
Taking over Shakur Stevenson
In his first bout since dropping to Martin, Harutyunyan now has the possibility to grow to be a world champion. Stevenson, who gained silver on the 2016 Olympics as a bantamweight, reigns because the WBC light-weight champion and defends the title in his hometown of Newark. Whereas Stevenson might be an enormous favorite, Harutyunyan is set to profit from this chance. Battle followers will discover out on July 6 whether or not he has what it takes.