Bob Arum Calls Shakur Stevenson’s $15 Million Price Unviable

Top Rank promoter Bob Arum stated that paying Shakur Stevenson a reported guarantee of $15 million per fight makes no financial sense without external funding. Speaking to Fight Hub TV, Arum argued that Stevenson's split from Zuffa was driven by the high purse demands rather than matchmaking issues. He noted that a promoter is justified in exiting a deal if ticket sales, broadcasts, and sponsorships cannot generate sufficient revenue to cover the contracted guarantee.

Arum applied the same logic to failed negotiations for a proposed clash between Stevenson and Devin Haney, claiming the event's projected income could not justify both fighters' financial demands. Boxing News 24 reports that Zuffa previously explored market-adjusted bouts, such as an offer to face Jose "Rayo" Valenzuela for around $7 million, but Stevenson held firm on his valuation.