Shakur Stevenson is more than just a kid from Newark. He’s a world champion boxer with a city that has been in his corner every step of the way.

When he fought in the Olympics three years ago, Newark televised his bout in the gold medal round on a large screen at Broad and Market streets, the city’s major downtown intersection.

Stevenson took silver, but Newark eased the sting of his disappointment. Thousands turned out for a parade the city hosted, a moment that still blows him away.

Newark did it to him again this weekend when folks filled the Terrace Ballroom at Newark Symphony to celebrate Stevenson for winning the WBO featherweight title over Joet Gonzalez in October.

“My city has been supporting me since I was a kid and now I’m older and they are still supporting me," Stevenson said.

For the record, he’s 22 and doesn’t mind one bit that these homecomings have become a habit. In his 12th professional fight – the first in his hometown - Stevenson was the main attraction on a boxing card at the Prudential Center in Newark.

“A lot of people get money and fame," he said. “They’re afraid to come back to their city."

Not Stevenson, who now lives in Alexandria, Virginia, where he trains.

“I love my city. My city made me who I am.''

The world knows that every time he steps into the ring. Newark is on his trunks and his headband. It inspires city youth when they see him on television or up close like they did on Saturday to celebrate his title and undefeated 13-0 record.

Yoell Cooper, 12, has been looking up to Stevenson for six years, recalling their days at Elite Heat Boxing Gym in Newark.

“I love his style," Cooper said. “I love the way he represents the city."

Shakur Stevenson thanks the city of Newark for supporting him in his professional boxing career. Nasir Graham, the city’s boxing coordinator at Boylan Street Recreation Center, is standing to his left smiling with pride.Ronald Stevenson

And, Stevenson loves being your motivation, young fella. Cooper is the National Silver Glove Champion, which means he’s the best 12-year-old boxer in the country.

Role model is a good fit for Stevenson, and Mayor Ras Baraka explained why. He said there are hundreds of black and Latino boys struggling in the streets, trying to figure out what to do with their lives, some making costly decisions that could end in jail or death.

“When they get to see you, they get to see victory," Baraka said. “They get to see hope, they get to see somebody that looks like them that’s successful," Baraka said.

Praise also came from Gov. Phil Murphy, who sent a proclamation that Baraka read. Mark Breland, a retired world champion boxer and 1984 gold medal Olympic winner, was in the house to offer his approval.

“Keep doing what you’re doing," he told Stevenson. “Don’t let nobody bring you down."

The Stevenson camp, at least those closest to him, is not surprised by his early success, especially his grandfather, Willie (Wali) Moses. He put the gloves on Stevenson when he was five 5-years-old, setting the foundation for what we have witnessed.

In two and half years as a pro, he’s a rising star with Top Rank, his promotional company, and has lived up to expectations since the Olympics.

“He’s living his dream," Moses said. “Each challenge we get, it gives us a bigger perspective of where we want to be and where we’re going."

Stevenson, a tough critic of his talent, is not satisfied. There’s more he can work on to improve, even though he considers himself an A-plus fighter ahead of his time.

Nasir Graham, the city’s boxing coordinator, sees raw talent, high boxing I.Q. and great defensive skills.

“He’s not easy to lay a glove on," said Graham, a former professional boxer. “He can hit you and you can’t hit him. That frustrates a lot of guys."

Gonzalez learned that in his first defeat. Stevenson won unanimously despite drama leading up to their match. Gonzalez’s sister is Stevenson’s girlfriend and he didn’t approve of their relationship. For Stevenson, it was business, not personal, one more trait that speaks to his ability to not get distracted.

“I can’t let that man go in there and beat me," Stevenson said. “There was no way I was going to let that happen."

He put in lots of ring work, sparring 140 rounds. He inhales boxing, trains when he’s not training. The sport is his first love. He’s married to it.

The success and the attention, however, have not changed him.

“He’s still a sweetheart," said his mother, Malikah Stevenson.

The one who is laid back but welcomes the spotlight. He took pictures Saturday night with fans, signed autographs, flashed that dimpled smile.

Everything that has happened, Stevenson expected. Three years ago, he said people would see him with a title by now. He did it in two.

What’s next?

He’s looking to fight Josh Warrington, the IBF champion for a unification bout.

“After every accomplishment, we’re always on the move," Stevenson said. “I’m ready for bigger and better things."

We’ll be watching. Your city will, too.

Shakur Stevenson, a Newark native, recently won the WBO featherweight boxing title. The city celebrated the champ's accomplishment at Newark Symphony Hall.(Barry Carter NJ | Advance Media)

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Barry Carter may be reached at bcarter@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BarryCarterSL. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips.

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