An injury to three-division world champion Shakur Stevenson has put another wrench in the Beterbiev vs. Bivol event.
WBN learned early Thursday that Stevenson had suffered a hand injury in training camp. This ailment caused the Newark native to withdraw from his October 12 fight with Joe Cordina in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The setback comes as confusion reigned over the Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol main event, which was already postponed from June 1. Stevenson vs. Cordina was set as the co-main event and the standout fight of the DAZN Pay Per View. Beterbiev vs. Bivol will be broadcast separately for ESPN+ viewers but will remain on DAZN if buyers have purchased.
Matchroom released a statement on the situation as Stevenson posted an image of himself in hospital. According to the information sent to World Boxing News, Stevenson underwent surgery on Wednesday in Colorado Springs, where he has been holding training camp, to repair tears to his sagittal band and collateral ligament, which he suffered in training.
The statement read, “Due to a hand injury sustained by Shakur Stevenson, he cannot compete against Joe Cordina on the Bivol-Beterbiev undercard at the upcoming Riyadh Season event on October 12 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
“The WBC World Lightweight Champion has undergone immediate surgery. After a successful recovery period, Stevenson is set to return to the ring in early 2025.”
Stevenson stated, “I am definitely disappointed that I won’t be able to fight on October 12. I have been super sharp and feeling great in camp and was planning to put on a show next month against Joe Cordina. But I have to listen to the doctor and have these injuries fixed immediately so that I can come back stronger than ever at the start of 2025.”
Dr. Ky Kobayashi, who completed the surgery at the Surgical Center of the Rockies, said that the procedure was successful, and he expects Stevenson to recover fully.
He will be able to resume training in six to eight weeks, will be healed, and will be ready to face William Zepeda in February. This scenario means the Cordina fight is off indefinitely and will not be rescheduled anytime soon.
Some fans won’t be too disappointed, though, as the fight raised eyebrows when first announced.
Matchroom may look to keep Cordina on the bill in another capacity. The card seems distinctly weak, though, for a PPV.
Read all articles and exclusive interviews by Phil Jay. Learn more about the author, experienced boxing writer, and World Boxing News Editor since 2010. Follow on Twitter @PhilJWBN.
