The Kid Who Chased His Dream: U.S. Olympic Boxer Shakur Stevenson Returns Home

NEWARK, NJ — When U.S. Olympic boxer Shakur Stevenson returned home after his silver medal win in Rio De Janeiro, he came back to his New Jersey hometown the same as he left… just a kid from Newark trying to do right.

On Sunday, community members from almost every faction of the city’s diverse population united to welcome the young pugilist back to Newark for “Shakur Stevenson Day.” Following a festive parade down Broad Street featuring local youth groups and the Central High School marching band, city and boxing officials gathered to present the Key to the City to their hometown hero at City Hall.

As Stevenson’s family watched with pride, officials held him up as a shining example of the fighting spirit that infuses the blood of every Newark resident.

“We are honored today to recognize a young man of talent, dedication, energy, and sportsmanship, who represented the absolute best of the City of Newark on the international stage, and is an Olympic champion here for our time and all time,” Newark Mayor Ras Baraka said. “His achievements add new pages of glory to Newark’s sporting history alongside those of Marvin Hagler, Shaquille O’Neal and Peter Westbrook.”

Before the bantamweight fighter earned his Olympic silver medal – going the distance in a thrilling match against Cuba’s Robeisy Ramirez – he gained a 23-0 record on the international bantamweight level, winning the 2014 AIBA Youth World Championships, 2014 Youth Olympic Games and the 2015 Senior US Olympic Trials.

A native of Newark, Stevenson - the oldest of nine siblings - took up boxing at age five under the tutoring of his grandfather, Wali Moses, city officials said.

“I am so proud to have my own parade and receive a key to the City of Newark,” Stevenson said during Sunday’s ceremony. “Making my family and hometown proud has always been the most important thing to me and it’s an honor to share my Olympic medal with everyone in Newark. I’m just a kid from Newark who chased his dream and proved that no matter where you come from, you can become anything you want to be if you work hard for it.”

Photos: City of Newark Press Office