Shakur Stevenson says he’s bought a “chip on his shoulder” heading into his struggle this Saturday night time in opposition to Artem Harutyunyan in Newark, New Jersey. He needs to silence his naysayers who view him as boring and missing braveness.
A Chip on His Shoulder
WBC light-weight champion Stevenson (21-0, 10 KOs) is upset as a result of followers not see him as “that man” that they thought he was after his final efficiency in opposition to Edwin De Los Santos final November.
Shakur, 27, needs to show the followers incorrect about him by placing on a present in opposition to Harutyunyan (13-1, 7 KOs) of their headliner on ESPN on the Prudential Heart in Newark on July sixth.
Stevenson initially justified his boo-filled efficiency in opposition to De Los Santos by claiming he was injured, however now he says he needed to struggle that means as a result of he’s a puncher.
He says he fought Oscar Valdez within the pocket, however that’s inaccurate. Shakur was on his bike in opposition to him and much more so in opposition to Jeremiah Nakathilia.
If Shakur can’t struggle punchers within the pocket at the least a number of the time, he’ll have a troublesome time establishing himself as a marketable fighter at 135 as a result of there are lots of fighters with energy within the division.
Motivated to Ship a Spectacular Present
“I’m ranges above Frank Martin. I believe Artem is an efficient fighter, however he’s coping with a special beast come July sixth,” stated Shakur Stevenson to Sean Zittel’s YouTube website. “I bought a chip on my shoulder. Now that I bought a chip on my shoulder, he’s bought to cope with any individual that could be very motivated. I’m coming to placed on a present.”
Leisure-wise, Shakur is many ranges under Frank Martin, not above. Shakur could be a greater fighter than Martin in his personal means, however he’s not as entertaining as him, and he’s nowhere close to a number of the extra thrilling contenders within the light-weight.
“It’s from individuals taking part in round with me, making an attempt to behave like I’m an individual that I say,” stated Stevenson. “I’ve bought plenty of built-up frustration as a result of I’ve delivered so many occasions out, and I’m going in opposition to a troublesome fighter. I bought a nasty state of affairs. Lots of people threw me out of the room. ‘He’s not this.’”
Many boxers view Shakur as deluded. He’s a first-rate instance of a fighter with an amazing ego who can’t see his personal weaknesses and make corrections to adapt. He’s not self-aware, and that’s the issue.
Stevenson can’t grasp the issues in his recreation because of his ego, and he can’t change regardless of followers giving him suggestions in massive numbers. As an alternative of listening to them, Shakur is sticking along with his personal deluded view and unwilling to vary. He’s his personal worst enemy.
“I believe it’s humorous. What are they going to say after I begin beating individuals up? They’re going to discover a motive. They’re going to name Artem a pizza supply man. They’re going to attempt to take credit score away from me and say I’m not that man. It’s okay as a result of at some point I’m going to get my alternative to show them incorrect.
The Problem of Proving Marketability
“I’ve fought so many punchers throughout my profession. In order that logic wouldn’t even make sense,” stated Shakur when requested if he’s uncomfortable letting his arms go in opposition to punchers because of his performances in opposition to Edwin De Los Santos and Jeremiah Nakathilia.
It will likely be troublesome for Shakur to change into marketable if he’s unwilling to place himself within the line of fireplace to alternate photographs along with his opponents. The best way Shakur wins fights now, touchdown one shot after which retreating, it’s not entertaining for followers who wish to see thrilling fights.
It’s shocking that Shakur can’t perceive why followers don’t view him as a must-see TV star and criticize him. His model of combating isn’t well worth the time spent watching him. On this leisure age with the Web and cable TV with many channels, it’s extra vital that fighters entertain than previously.
“Generally, it ain’t sensible to sit down within the pocket in opposition to somebody that could be a puncher. Some punchers you do sit within the pocket with. In opposition to Valdez, I did sit within the pocket in opposition to,” stated Stevenson.
