Shakur Stevenson Set To Hit Free Agency

Shakur Stevenson will become a free agent after he faces Artem Harutyunyan on Saturday night in Newark, New Jersey.

Stevenson’s contract with Top Rank is set to end on Sunday after the fight, and he will be one of the top free agents available. Arum says they will let Stevenson field what markets are out there but, he still is open to continuing their relationship.

“He’s a free agent – like in basketball or the NFL,” Bob Arum said (via BoxingScene). “We’ve had a frank discussion about him testing the market – ‘If you can make a better deal, by all means, take it. If you can’t, we love you, come back and we’re happy to make fights for you.’ We would welcome him, no animosity at all. Free agency is free agency. He – and we – have fulfilled our contracts.”

Although Stevenson is one of the top fighters in the world, he hasn’t had the big fan base as boxers like Ryan Garcia or Tank Davis. According to Arum, that is because he doesn’t win by knockout, which is what fans want to see.

“Because people like fighters who win by knockouts. [Stevenson’s] not that kind of fighter. He’s a brilliant technician who wins his fights by wide margins. Not knockouts. It’s the same reason Aaron Judge is more popular to baseball fans than a batting champion. Home runs sell.”

If Stevenson does decide to leave Top Rank, Bob Arum says he isn’t worried about losing another American talent as he believes he has plenty.

“I agree [Stevenson’s] a tremendous talent. But a lot of guys are tremendously talented,” Arum said. “We don’t lack in America for tremendous talents.”

Shakur Stevenson is 21-0 as a pro and coming off a decision win over Edwin De Los Santos.