Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Shakur Stevenson Signs With Zuffa Boxing

The multiyear deal gives Dana White’s promotion its top star, raising questions about cross-promotional matchups, the future of Stevenson’s belts, and when he will debut.

Overview

  • Zuffa Boxing confirmed Thursday that undefeated four-division champion Shakur Stevenson has signed a multiyear, multifight promotional deal with the company.
  • Stevenson is 25-0 with 11 knockouts and won the WBO junior-welterweight title in January by defeating Teofimo Lopez, making him one of boxing’s top pound-for-pound fighters.
  • Stevenson publicly named Devin Haney and Gervonta Davis as his primary targets for his first fight under Zuffa, but no opponent, date, or venue for his debut has been announced.
  • Zuffa gains its highest-profile roster addition to date, yet the promotion faces the practical task of negotiating cross-promotional terms with other promoters and sanctioning bodies to secure the blockbuster fights Stevenson seeks.
  • Stevenson said financial terms were a major factor in his decision and he expects Zuffa to deliver big fights, a development that could prompt him to vacate or lose sanctioning recognition for some belts as matchmaking and broadcast arrangements are sorted.