Shakur Stevenson Leaves Zuffa Boxing Just 3 Months After Signing Contract, Last Fight Was in January
After just three months with Zuffa Boxing, Shakur Stevenson is leaving the company.
After just three months with Zuffa Boxing, Shakur Stevenson is leaving the company.
Stevenson announced on his YouTube channel Monday that he has left Zuffa (h/t Ring Magazine's Matt Penn ).
"I've been working my ass off, staying focused, I've been in camp for eight weeks preparing for fights I was told would happen but have not happened," Stevenson said. "It is what it is, this is the business of boxing, I'm not mad at anyone, but I requested to be released from Zuffa Boxing and over the weekend my request was granted."
Additionally, Stevenson announced that he plans to start his own promotional company.
"I'm officially a free agent, I'm now taking my career into my own hands, starting my own promotional company and I'm willing to work with other promoters that are willing to be serious about my career," he said. "I want the biggest fights available at 135 pounds or 140 pounds, where I hold my title."
Stevenson, 29, has a 25-0 record in his career with 11 knockouts and has won titles across four weight divisions. He won the WBC lightweight title in 2023 and successfully defended it three times.
Stevenson's last fight came in January, when he beat Teofimo Lopez for the WBO and The Ring junior welterweight titles.
In July, Stevenson joined Zuffa Boxing, which is co-owned by UFC CEO Dana White, on a multi-fight deal.
"Shakur is one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. He's 29 years old, undefeated and already a four-division world champion," White said after Stevenson joined the company. "This is a massive signing for Zuffa Boxing, and I'm looking forward to promoting this next fight."
Now seemingly set to represent himself, Stevenson said he wants to eventually move to the welterweight division.
"None of these guys can beat me. And give it a year or two, we'll get to 147 pounds, where is pressing me to be a 147-pounder," he said. "I will get there, but on my time, not on anyone else's. I'll be the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter soon and I'm open for co-promoting and working with any of the networks."
What comes next for Stevenson following his departure from Zuffa remains to be seen.
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