On Saturday, Shakur Stevenson (22-0) defended his WBC Lightweight Championship against Artem Harutyunyan (12-2) in a 12-round boxing match in Newark, New Jersey. Stevenson retained the title via unanimous decision (119–109, 118–110, 116–112).
ESPN reported that Shakur Stevenson has rejected the contract extension with Top Rank. The organization has offered Stevenson a $15 million five-fight deal that would have guaranteed $3 million per fight. ESPN also noted that Stevenson could have become a free agent or would sign with any other promotion.
Last month, WBC Lightweight Champion stated the following in an interview with ESPN:
“I want to honestly start my own promotional company and just work with promoters and do a lot of short-term things so that way I’m not locked in and stuck to somebody.”
AND STILL 🥊
— ESPN Ringside (@ESPNRingside) July 7, 2024
Shakur Stevenson retains the WBC lightweight title 🏆 #ShakurArtem pic.twitter.com/67Y0yZoGM5