WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson has his next three opponents lined up after signing a deal with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Sport.
World Boxing News understands Stevenson signed a two-fight deal with Hearn beginning with Joe Cordina on October 12 in Saudi Arabia. Stevenson’s WBC mandatory William Zepeda agreed to a monetary step aside to make the fight happen.
Stevenson will then move on to facing Zepeda in February or March before eyeing massive unification with Gervonta Davis in late summer. If Hearn can deliver that fight, Stevenson will extend his tenure under the British promoter.
Everything hinges on the first fight this fall. Stevenson is raring to go after turning down offers from Top Rank and Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions.
“I am ready to start this next chapter of my career. It begins on October 12 with Joe Cordina on the stacked Riyadh Season card in Saudi Arabia,” said Stevenson.
“I’ve made it clear that I want the biggest names and the biggest fights in the sport. Bring on William Zepeda at the top of 2025, and I’m ready for anyone brave enough to step in the ring with me. There have been few willing to take on that challenge in recent years.
Hearn was again the cat who got the cream after using his powers of persuasion to land another big-name American fighter after signing Jaron Ennis.
Shakur Stevenson ‘might be unbeatable’
“I am delighted to welcome what I believe is a pound-for-pound great to the Matchroom team,” said Hearn. “Shakur Stevenson is 27 and already a three-division World champion and might be unbeatable in the sport of boxing.
“This young man should be a global superstar, and I believe with our machine behind him, he will land all the big fights and receive all the credit that he deserves. The journey begins on October 12 in Riyadh on a huge card, and we cannot wait for the future together.”
Davis vs Stevenson could have happened this November, as an offer was on the table before Hearn laid out his diversion plans for the Newark native. It remains to be seen whether allowing that fight to marinate bears fruit.
Usually, it doesn’t.
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.
