Shakur’s first WBC title defense two days after US Independence Day

Superlative undefeated Shakur Stevenson will make the inaugural defense of his WBC lightweight world championship against Armenian-born German Olympian Artem Harutyunyan on Saturday, July 6, at Prudential Center in his hometown of Newark, New Jersey.

In the co-feature, O’Shaquie Foster will defend his WBC super featherweight world title against Brazilian Olympic gold medalist and three-time world title challenger Robson Conceição.

Stevenson (21-0, 10 KOs) has alreday won world titles in three weight classes during his glittering seven-year run. After securing a silver medal at the 2016 Olympics, he made his pro debut in 2017 and swiftly moved up the ranks.

He captured his first world title by defeating Joet Gonzalez for the WBO featherweight belt in October 2019. Two years later, he stopped Jamel Herring in 10 blistering rounds, to earn the WBO title at 130 pounds.

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 Center by defeating Conceição that September and stopping Japanese contender Shuichiro Yoshino in six last April. He then outpointed Dominican puncher Edwin De Los Santos last November to become the WBC lightweight world champion.

Stevenson said: “It feels good to come home to Newark, where they appreciate a young legend, and make my first title defense at 135. On July 6, Down Goes Artem!”

Harutyunyan (12-1, 7 KOs) captured an Olympic bronze medal for Germany in 2016. He started his pro career the following year, and went 12-0 in his adopted country with triumphs over Samuel Molina in September 2021 and Humberto Galindo in June 2022.

Last July, he made his U.S. debut in a competitive showdown against Frank Martin. The 33-year-old had success with his aggression and pinpoint right hand, though Martin rallied late to win a narrow unanimous decision. Harutyunyan will have his first world title shot against his second consecutive southpaw rival.

Harutyunyan said: “I respect Shakur Stevenson as a champion, but I am here to surprise his hometown fans and win the WBC lightweight championship. This is the opportunity of a lifetime and I will make the most of it. “This will be my second fight in the U.S. I have learned and progressed since my loss to Frank Martin.”

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Universum Boxing, tickets go on sale Wednesday, May 22 at 2 p.m. ET via Ticketmaster.com.