Newark’s three-division king is able to defend his crown on native turf.
Shakur Stevenson will make the inaugural protection of his WBC light-weight world championship in opposition to Armenian-born German Olympian Artem Harutyunyan on Saturday, July 6, at Prudential Middle in his hometown of Newark, New Jersey.
Within the co-feature, O’Shaquie Foster will defend his WBC junior light-weight world title in opposition to Brazilian Olympic gold medalist and three-time world title challenger Robson Conceição.
Within the 10-round light-weight televised opener, Keyshawn Davis will tackle Mexican veteran Miguel Madueño.
Stevenson-Harutyunyan, Foster-Conceição, and Davis-Madueño shall be broadcast reside on ESPN, ESPN, Deportes and ESPN+ at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.
Promoted by Prime Rank, in affiliation with Universum Boxing, tickets go on sale Wednesday, Could 22 at 2 p.m. ET through Ticketmaster.com.
“There’s a distinctive connection between Shakur and the Metropolis of Newark, and we’re thrilled he’s returning for one more hometown look in opposition to a troublesome opponent in Artem Harutyunyan,” mentioned Prime Rank Chairman Bob Arum. “O’Shaquie Foster doesn’t shrink back from the most effective opposition, and I do know Robson Conceição is motivated to drag off the upset. And with Keyshawn Davis on the cardboard in opposition to a rugged contender in Madueño, that is fairly the tripleheader we’ve in retailer in Brick Metropolis.”
“To as soon as once more welcome again Prime Rank, ESPN, and Shakur Stevenson for the third time in two years is a good honor for Prudential Middle and your complete metropolis of Newark,” mentioned Dylan Wanagiel, VP of Sports activities Properties & Particular Occasions for Prudential Middle. “We look ahead to internet hosting an unforgettable night full of history-making moments within the coronary heart of New Jersey as Shakur takes on a formidable opponent in Artem Harutyunyan for the WBC Light-weight Title. Following consecutive record-breaking occasions with Shakur headlining, we’re excited to showcase the candy science in our world class venue, additional solidifying Newark’s repute for marquee occasions all over the world.”
Stevenson (21-0, 10 KOs) has received world titles in three weight lessons throughout his seven-year run. After securing a silver medal on the 2016 Olympics, he made his professional debut in 2017 and swiftly moved up the ranks. He captured his first world title by defeating Joet Gonzalez for the WBO featherweight strap in October 2019. Two years later, he stopped Jamel Herring in 10 rounds to earn the WBO title at 130 kilos. The 26-year-old southpaw unified world titles by handing then-WBC champion Oscar Valdez his first loss in April 2022. Stevenson then claimed two consecutive victories at Prudential Middle by defeating Conceição that September and stopping Japanese contender Shuichiro Yoshino in six final April. Hee outpointed Dominican puncher Edwin De Los Santos final November to change into the WBC light-weight world champion.
Stevenson mentioned, “It feels good to be going again dwelling to Newark, the place they admire a younger legend, and to make my first title protection at 135. On July 6, Down Goes Artem!”
Harutyunyan (12-1, 7 KOs) captured an Olympic bronze medal for Germany in 2016. He began his professional profession the next 12 months and went 12-0 in his adopted nation with triumphs over Samuel Molina in September 2021 and Humberto Galindo in June 2022. Final July, he made his U.S. debut in a aggressive showdown in opposition to Frank Martin. The 33-year-old had success together with his aggression and proper hand, although Martin rallied late to win a slim unanimous choice. Harutyunyan may have his first world title shot in opposition to his second consecutive southpaw rival.
Harutyunyan mentioned, “I respect Shakur Stevenson as a champion, however I’m coming to shock his hometown followers and win the WBC light-weight championship. That is the chance of a lifetime, and I’ll take full benefit of it. This shall be my second battle within the U.S. I’ve realized and progressed since my loss to Frank Martin.”
Foster (22-2, 12 KOs) had a distinguished newbie profession with greater than 100 fights and an alternate spot within the 2012 U.S. Olympic group earlier than getting into the paid ranks later that 12 months. He encountered two early-career setbacks, together with a break up choice defeat to Rolando Chinea in July 2016. He returned greater than a 12 months later with famend coach Bobby Benton and has since gone 12-0. Final February, he received the WBC world title with a factors verdict over two-division world champion Rey Vargas earlier than a dramatic Twelfth-round knockout win in opposition to Eduardo “Rocky” Hernandez in October. The next month, Foster signed a long-term promotional take care of Prime Rank. He returns after securing a well-earned break up choice over Abraham Nova in February.
Foster mentioned, “I am excited to be again for my third title protection. Conceição is a good opponent who has been within the ring with plenty of prime fighters, however come July 6, we shall be prepared. I’ll preserve proving that I am among the best fighters on the planet.”
Conceição (18-2-1, 9 KOs), Brazil’s inaugural Olympic boxing gold medalist, turned professional in November 2016. His solely losses have come in opposition to unbeaten world champions, together with an in depth choice in opposition to then-WBC champ Valdez in September 2021. Following the setback to Stevenson, Conceição’s June 2022 showdown in opposition to Nicolas Polanco led to a no contest. He adopted up by difficult three-weight world champion Emanuel Navarrete final November, rising twice from the canvas and battling to a majority draw. In April, he registered a seventh-round TKO in opposition to Jose Guardado in April.
Conceição mentioned, “I am actually wanting ahead to this battle in opposition to O’Shaquie Foster. This title is one thing I have been aiming for a very long time, and I am not going to let this chance slip away. I can assure that I will give my greatest; I will go away all the things within the ring. Blood, sweat, and dedication—all the things shall be invested on this title bout. I am able to face any problem that comes my means. Let’s go all in in the direction of victory! Brazil!”
Davis (10-0, 7 KOs), from Norfolk, Virginia, made a fast transition from prospect to contender. After going 3-0 as a professional, he earned a silver medal on the Tokyo Olympics. In November 2021, he inked a long-term promotional pact with Prime Rank and has amassed seven wins since. In 2023, he stopped Anthony Yigit in 9 rounds in April and vanquished Francesco Patera through 10-round choice in July. After his October win over Nahir Albright was overturned to a no contest as a consequence of a constructive marijuana take a look at, Davis returned with renewed vigor in February to dispatch former two-weight world champion Jose Pedraza in six. Madueño (31-2, 28 KOs) tallied a three-fight successful spree after a call defeat to Jezreel Corrales in March 2022. The streak was halted by a factors setback in opposition to Canadian contender Steve Claggett final November, however he bounced again shortly by decisioning Justin Pauldo in February.
Davis mentioned, “Madueño is a troublesome fighter with greater than 30 professional fights, and I’ve plenty of respect for what he brings to the desk. I really like preventing in Newark. The followers there are particular, and I’m going to feed off their vitality and placed on a present.”
Undercard motion — streaming reside and solely on ESPN+ — consists of the return of 20-year-old light-weight prodigy Abdullah Mason and unbeaten heavyweight prospect Damian “Polish Hussar” Knyba.
Mason (13-0, 11 KOs) will make his third 2024 look in an eight-rounder in opposition to Puerto Rican veteran Luis Lebron. The Cleveland native went 5-0 with 4 knockouts final 12 months earlier than stopping Benjamin Gurment in two in February. He’s coming off a fourth-round TKO win over Ronal Ron in April. Lebron (20-5-1, 13 KOs) has given stiff assessments to Duke Ragan and Henry Lebron and stopped Giovanni Gutierrez in February.Knyba (13-0, 7 KOs), a 6-foot-7 behemoth with an 86-inch attain, returns in an eight-rounder versus Richard Lartey (16-6, 13 KOs). He joined the Prime Rank secure in January 2023 and scored a TKO win over Curtis Harper that April adopted by selections over Helaman Olguin in June and Michael Coffie in December.
