Shakur Stevenson’s road to defending his title Saturday night in his comeback match against Artem Harutunyan at the Prudential Center in Newark, Modern Jersey, was not a bed of roses.

The WBC lightweight champion will fight for the first time since winning the vacant title in November against Edwin De Los Santos. The fight was considered lifeless as they threw a combined 105 punches, forcing a group of disinterested fans to leave the arena before the final bell.

Stevenson apologized for his performance and later attributed his lackluster victory to a sore shoulder. In January, as Stevenson searched for his next opponent, he abruptly announced his retirement, only to change his stance a few days later.

The incident occurred with one fight remaining on Stevenson’s contract with Top Rank, Stevenson’s promoter who has managed him since he turned professional after winning a silver medal at the 2016 Olympics.

Stevenson (21-0, 10 KOs) called for fights with Top Rank cohorts Vasiliy Lomachenko and George Kambosos Jr. before they eventually fought each other, with Lomachenko stopping Kambosos for the vacant IBF 135-pound title. Talks with Stevenson’s No. 1 contender, William Zepeda, also fell through.

Stevenson said Harutunyan (12-1, 7 KOs) – a 33-year-old Armenian living in Germany who has fought only once in the U.S. – was the only opponent that was presented to him. Harutunyan is best known for giving Frank Martin a tough fight last summer, eventually losing by decision.

As the 27-year-old left-hander enters the free agency phase of his career, Stevenson is looking to change his approach by making the decisive fights that will solidify his position as what he believes is the best boxer in the world.

The question remains whether his star will shine in the Top Rank spotlight.

“Bob Arum is basically trying to say, ‘Top Rank or nothing,’ and he’s basically trying to say I have no other options but Top Rank. Like, go see the market and come back to us,” Stevenson told BoxingScene, adding that Arum is “talking scorching shit.”

“I think Bob should just shut up because he’s not really running his own business.”

Stevenson said he would not rule out a return to Top Rank, although the company has begun negotiations for a fight between Lomachenko and Gervonta Davis, another opponent Stevenson wants.

Top Rank could also book Stevenson for fights against recently crowned WBO lightweight champion Denys Berinchyk, undefeated lightweight title challenger Raymond Muratalla and Teofimo Lopez Jr. at 140 pounds, among other contenders.

“I don’t know. I don’t count anything. It’s a business, after all,” Stevenson said. “Same [Top Rank] he looks at it the same way I look at it. If the business makes sense, then yes. If the business doesn’t make sense, then it doesn’t make sense. I know my worth and I understand it. I’m not a kid anymore, I’m 19 and coming out of the Olympics. Now I’m more of a grown man who in the years to come will end up being one of the most legendary and best athletes to ever do it, and that’s my worth.”

After winning titles in the 126- and 130-pound weight classes and defeating the likes of Oscar Valdez, Jamel Herring and Robson Conceicao, Stevenson is unhappy with the way he has been treated in the lightweight division.

Stevenson officially joined the lightweight division in April 2023 and scored a stoppage win over Shuichiro Yoshino and then defeated De Los Santos.

“Yes [I was pleased] until I started getting bigger, fame-wise. We did well in that process,” Stevenson said. “When I got to 135, everything slowed down a little bit. I feel like [Top Rank] They could have given me the Kambosos fight, just like they gave Lomachenko. But they didn’t. I felt like they could have put a little more pressure on Lomachenko to make the fight happen, but they didn’t. When I got to 135, my fame grew, and then everything changed.”

As Arum and company prepare for a potential split, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Oscar De La Hoya and Eddie Hearn have all expressed interest in working with the James Prince-managed Stevenson.

However, Stevenson could be in a better position to fight on his own and get the fights he wants, much like his longtime confidante Terence Crawford did after parting ways with Top Rank.

Stevenson is adamant that his the time will come and he is ready to bet on himself because announces the performance of a superstar against Harutunyan.

“The build-up has been fun,” Stevenson said. “Honestly, I’ve enjoyed training camp, improving my skills and conditioning and just being 100 percent myself. I’m going in there as acute as ever and in shape. I’m ready and looking forward to July 6.”

“I don’t want to prove anything to anyone. I want to prove something to myself. I just want to show that I can give 100 percent of myself.

“I’m ready for the large stage. When the lights get brighter, I get better and I shine. I’m ready for anyone. This is a risky version of me now. I hope one of these great fighters gives me a chance.”