NEWARK, N.J. (May 7, 2024) — Newark’s three-division ruler is prepared to shield his crown on local turf.
Shakur Stevenson will make the debut protection of his WBC lightweight big showdown against Armenian-conceived German Olympian Artem Harutyunyan on Saturday, July 6, at Prudential Center in his old neighborhood of Newark, New Jersey.
In the co-highlight, O’Shaquie Encourage will safeguard his WBC junior lightweight world title against Brazilian Olympic gold medalist and three-time world title challenger Robson Conceição.
In the 10-round lightweight broadcast opener, Keyshawn Davis will take on Mexican veteran Miguel Madueño.
Stevenson-Harutyunyan, Encourage Conceição, and Davis-Madueño will be communicated in real time on ESPN, ESPN, Deportes and ESPN+ at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.
Advanced by High level, in relationship with Universum Boxing, tickets go at a bargain Wednesday, May 22 at 2 p.m. ET by means of Ticketmaster.com.
“There is a remarkable association among Shakur and the City of Newark, and we are excited he’s returning for one more old neighborhood appearance against an extreme rival in Artem Harutyunyan,” said High level Director Bounce Arum. “O’Shaquie Encourage doesn’t avoid the best resistance, and I realize Robson Conceição is propelled to pull off the annoyed. What’s more, with Keyshawn Davis on the card against a tough competitor in Madueño, this is a remarkable tripleheader we have in store in Block City.”
“To by and by invite back High level, ESPN, and Shakur Stevenson for the third time in two years is a significant privilege for Prudential Center and the whole city of Newark,” said Dylan Wanagiel, VP of Sports Properties and Unique Occasions for Prudential Center. “We anticipate facilitating an extraordinary night loaded up with history-production minutes in the core of New Jersey as Shakur takes on an imposing rival in Artem Harutyunyan for the WBC Lightweight Title. Following sequential record-breaking occasions with Shakur featuring, we are eager to grandstand the sweet science in our top notch scene, further cementing Newark’s standing for marquee occasions all over the planet.”
Shakur Stevenson-Artem Harutyunyan & O’Shaquie Foster-Robson Conceição World Title Doubleheader Set for July 6 https://t.co/WUxmDszXTz
— BoxingScene.com (@boxingscene) May 7, 2024
Stevenson (21-0, 10 KOs) has brought home big showdowns in three weight classes during his seven-year run. In the wake of getting a silver decoration at the 2016 Olympics, he made his genius debut in 2017 and quickly climbed the positions. He caught his most memorable world title by overcoming Joet Gonzalez for the WBO featherweight tie in October 2019. After two years, he halted Jamel Herring in 10 rounds to acquire the WBO title at 130 pounds. The 26-year-old southpaw brought together world titles by giving then-WBC champion Oscar Valdez his most memorable misfortune in April 2022. Stevenson then guaranteed two continuous triumphs at Prudential Center by overcoming Conceição that September and halting Japanese competitor Shuichiro Yoshino in six last April. Hee outpointed Dominican puncher Edwin De Los Santos last November to turn into the WBC lightweight title holder.
Stevenson said, “It feels far better to be returning home to Newark, where they value a youthful legend, and to make my most memorable title protection at 135. On July 6, Down Goes Artem!”
Harutyunyan (12-1, 7 KOs) caught an Olympic bronze award for Germany in 2016. He began his expert profession the next year and went 12-0 in his took on country with wins over Samuel Molina in September 2021 and Humberto Galindo in June 2022. Last July, he made his U.S. debut in a cutthroat confrontation against Blunt Martin. The 33-year-old had accomplishment with his hostility and right hand, however Martin mobilized late to win a tight consistent choice. Harutyunyan will have his most memorable world title shot against his second sequential southpaw rival.
Harutyunyan said, “I regard Shakur Stevenson as a boss, however I’m coming to stun his old neighborhood fans and bring home the WBC lightweight title. This is the amazing open door, and I will make the most of it. This will be my second battle in the U.S. I’ve learned and advanced since my misfortune to Honest Martin.”
Cultivate (22-2, 12 KOs) had a recognized novice profession with in excess of 100 battles and a substitute spot in the 2012 U.S. Olympic group prior to entering the paid positions soon thereafter. He experienced two early-vocation difficulties, including a split choice loss to Rolando Chinea in July 2016. He returned over a year after the fact with prestigious mentor Bobby Benton and has since gone 12-0. Last February, he brought home the WBC big showdown with a focuses decision more than two-division title holder Rey Vargas before an emotional twelfth round knockout win against Eduardo “Rough” Hernandez in October. The next month, Encourage marked a drawn out limited time manage High level. He returns subsequent to getting a very much procured split choice over Abraham Nova in February.
Cultivate said, “I’m eager to be back for my third title protection. Conceição is an extraordinary rival who has been in the ring with a great deal of top contenders, however come July 6, we will be prepared. I will continue to demonstrate that I’m quite possibly of the best warrior on the planet.”
Conceição (18-2-1, 9 KOs), Brazil’s debut Olympic boxing gold medalist, turned master in November 2016. His main misfortunes have come against unbeaten title holders, including a nearby ruling against then-WBC winner Valdez in September 2021. Following the misfortune to Stevenson, Conceição’s June 2022 standoff against Nicolas Polanco finished in a no challenge. He followed up by testing three-weight title holder Emanuel Navarrete last November, rising two times from the material and fighting to a greater part draw. In April, he enrolled a seventh-round technical knockout against Jose Guardado in April.
Conceição said, “I’m truly anticipating this battle against O’Shaquie Cultivate. This title is something I’ve been going for the gold time, and I won’t neglect this open door. I can ensure that I’ll do my absolute best with; I’ll leave everything in the ring. Blood, sweat, and commitment — all that will be put resources into this title session. I’m prepared to confront any test that comes my direction. How about we bet everything towards triumph! Brazil!”
Davis (10-0, 7 KOs), from Norfolk, Virginia, made a speedy change from prospect to competitor. In the wake of going 3-0 as a genius, he procured a silver decoration at the Tokyo Olympics. In November 2021, he inked a drawn out special settlement with High level and has amassed seven successes since. In 2023, he halted Anthony Yigit in nine rounds in April and vanquished Francesco Patera by means of 10-round choice in July. After his October prevail upon Nahir Albright was upset to a no challenge because of a positive maryjane test, Davis got back with recharged force in February to dispatch previous two-weight title holder Jose Pedraza in six. Madueño (31-2, 28 KOs) counted a three-battle winning binge after a choice loss to Jezreel Corrales in Walk 2022. The streak was stopped by a difficulty against Canadian competitor Steve Claggett last November, yet he returned rapidly by decisioning Justin Pauldo in February.
Davis said, “Madueño is an extreme warrior with in excess of 30 master battles, and I have a great deal of regard for what he offers that would be useful. I love battling in Newark. The fans there are extraordinary, and I will take care of off their energy and put on an act.”
Undercard activity — streaming live and solely on ESPN+ — incorporates the arrival of 20-year-old lightweight wonder Abdullah Bricklayer and unbeaten heavyweight prospect Damian “Clean Hussar” Knyba.
Bricklayer (13-0, 11 KOs) will show up in an eight-rounder against Puerto Rican veteran Luis Lebron. The Cleveland local went 5-0 with four knockouts last year prior to halting Benjamin Gurment in two in February. He is falling off a fourth-round technical knockout win over Ronal Ron in April. Lebron (20-5-1, 13 KOs) has given firm tests to Duke Ragan and Henry Lebron and halted Giovanni Gutierrez in February.
Knyba (13-0, 7 KOs), a 6-foot-7 behemoth with a 86-inch reach, returns in an eight-rounder versus Richard Lartey (16-6, 13 KOs). He joined the High level stable in January 2023 and scored a technical knockout win over Curtis Harper that April followed by choices over Helaman Olguin in June and Michael Coffie in December.