Shakur Stevenson has officially signed with Zuffa Boxing, a move the champion says removes the promotional barriers that have historically prevented boxing’s biggest fights from materialising. The deal positions him to pursue top light welterweight and lightweight opponents without traditional network or promotional conflicts.
Stevenson, the undefeated WBO light welterweight titleholder, believes the new venture signals a fundamental shift in the sport. He stated his newfound freedom in clear terms. “With this new deal, I can make any fight that I want in the sport of boxing,” he said, adding that the old restrictions no longer apply. “There’s not no restrictions. It’s not no, ‘I can’t fight this guy.’ Boxing is not the same no more.”
Zuffa Boxing, led by UFC’s Dana White and backed by Saudi Arabia’s Turki Alalshikh, aims to consolidate talent and make marquee matchups directly, similar to the UFC’s model. Stevenson’s signing is a significant step in building a roster capable of challenging the established order. He argued that observers must adapt to this new reality. “The critics got to get past thinking in the old mindset. The new mindset is the best fighting the best, and I’m all for it. I think Zuffa is all for it too. So let’s do it,” said Stevenson.
This move immediately raises the stakes for potential super-fights against rivals such as Gervonta “Tank” Davis and Devin Haney. While Stevenson did not call out a specific fighter, he described a potential bout with Davis as “the biggest fight in the sport.” The promotional alignment, combined with significant financial backing, theoretically simplifies negotiations for such events.
Ultimately, Stevenson has positioned himself as universally available to any elite opponent willing to step forward. He made it clear that with the financial and structural power of his new promoters, the responsibility now falls on his rivals to agree to terms. “I think with Zuffa, with Turki backing Zuffa, it’s just so much in the sport of boxing that can get done. Any of these guys want to say they want to fight Shakur? Then sign it up. I’m ready.”
