Shakur Stevenson is a -3500 favorite to retain his WBC world lightweight title on July 6 vs Artem Harutyunyan, who comes back as the +1300 underdog.
The Shakur vs Artem matchup will be 12 rounds at the Prudential Center in New Jersey. Let's dive into the odds, and preview a pick for this fight.
Stevenson vs Harutyunyan Betting Odds
| Fighter | Odds |
|---|---|
| Shakur Stevenson | -3000 |
| Artem Harutyunyan | +1300 |
Odds as of July 6
Using our odds calculator, Stevenson's -3000 favorite status means a $100 bet on him to win pays out $103.33. The same bet on Artem pays out $1,400. Additionally, if you’re unfamiliar with betting on boxing, we have you covered with an in-depth How to Bet Boxing guide.
How Stevenson wins
Stevenson wins by lacing up his shoes, putting on his cup, and walking to the ring. He's fought better opponents than Harutyunyan, and he won't sweat much in this bout.
The question is how will Shakur get this done? And boxing fans will know that when it comes to Stevenson, there is only one option: a win by unanimous decision. And it appears the German Haruntyunyan is the perfect customer for another victory. Artem is a tough fella, and even a broken orbital bone couldn't shut his lights out as Frank Martin beat him up last time around.
Shakur is very defensive, so don't expect him to end up with a scratch. He'll need to get some licks in on his opponent, though, at least early, to find some confidence and momentum.
How Harutyunyan Wins
The 33-year-old must win this fight with a little bit of bully ball. Having fought at 140 pounds, Artem is naturally heavier than Shakur, and he'll have to fight like that to win Saturday. This means dramatic movements to get off the center line and big pop on his punches. Of course, Stevenson will likely sniff out his opponent's offense a mile away, but he must try.
Speed and pop are Harutyunyan's best friends. He must sizzle to win, especially as a +1300 underdog.
Stevenson vs Harutyunyan Pick
Big surprise: I'm still taking Stevenson to win by decision at -105. Those are some pretty fine odds for a fighter who usually takes his bouts the distance.
I'll happily lay at least two units on Shakur and pray this fight plays out the same as all his other dancefests.
