WBC lightweight champion Shakur (21-0, 10 KOs) is hoping for a big offer from a prominent promoter like Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom, but if he doesn’t make an impression, he won’t get it. Shakur may find it challenging to prevail and look good against Harutyunyan (13-1, 7 KOs), as he won’t be outlasted if someone is standing in front of him.
At the weigh-in on Friday, Shakur made it clear that he would be aiming after Harutyunyan’s midsection, which is where Frank Martin had the most success during their July 2023 match last year. In addition, Stevenson believes that a unification match versus WBA lightweight champion Gervonta Davis is winnable and will propel him into a PPV phenomenon. The 27-year-old Shakur might prevail in that bout, but only if he uses the same hit-and-run strategy as he did against Edwin De Los Santos.
