Harutyunyan says Even Shakur Stevenson’s fans want him to lose because of his “boring” fighting style.

Artem Harutyunyan says Shakur Stevenson’s fans want him to lose their fight on Saturday night because he is “boring.”

Mind War and Mind Games

Harutyunyan (13-1, 7 KOs), dressed as an official, was playing havoc with WBC lightweight champion Shakur during his final press conference on Wednesday, praising him endlessly, trying to get him down.

When it became apparent that the 2016 Olympic bronze medalist, Harutyunyan, was faking it when he complimented her on her cologne during their face-off, Shakur laughed, letting Harutyunyan know that she wasn’t wearing cologne.

Shakur said afterward that he is in the game for Harutyunyan, and expects him to fight hard this Saturday evening, July 6, in their twelve-round main event on ESPN at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

“He is just a normal person. I said, ‘He smells good,’ but I think it was his fear,” Artem Harutyunyan told Top Rank Boxing, talking about his fight with Shakur Stevenson in their final press conference this week.

Shakur may never have fought anyone who used such a sophisticated effort with his mind games to knock him down. Harutyunyan had a unique way of getting rid of Shakur, and everything was different from the usual intimidation tactics, such as trash talk, threatening looks, and entering his territory.

Is Shakur Shaken?

“He’s going to really try to win,” Shakur said of Harutyunyan. “You’re talking about, ‘What cologne are you wearing? That smells good,’” Shakur said of what Harutyunyan told him when they looked at each other.

“I don’t wear cologne. I can’t miss it. His head is big. It’s not how I’m going to miss it,” Shakur said.

Harutyunyan’s mind games may have gotten to Shakur a little because this is a different level of mental warfare, which made him giggle and smile. If Shakur lets up even a little during the fight, that might be enough for Harutyunyan to beat him.

“It was fun for me, but I got all the answers to all the questions. Shakur’s fans also want to see him lose, they say he is boring, he always runs away,” said Harutyunyan.

“I’m here to give Newark a good fight and show what boxing really is, and I think it’s going to be a good night.”