‘I know we can deliver the fights for him’: Eddie Hearn makes his case to sign Shakur Stevenson
The WBO and Ring super lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson is undoubtedly one of the most talented fighters in the sport. Stevenson was signed with Eddie Hearn at Matchroom before ending up signing with Zuffa Boxing, a move that got the whole of the boxing world talking. It didn’t last long, and Shakur is now a free agent. When talking to Fight Hub TV, Eddie Hearn made it clear that Matchroom are in the running to re-sign Shakur Stevenson.
Shakur Stevenson leaves Zuffa for free agency
Shakur was often criticised for not being the most fan-friendly fighter in the sport, but wins over William Zepeda and Teofimo Lopez took Stevenson to a new level, putting the undefeated 29-year-old southpaw at the top of many pound-for-pound lists. After Stevenson’s departure from Matchroom, he eventually ended up signing for Zuffa, and it appeared to be the move he wanted and needed:
“Line them up, one by one, and I’ll beat all the top guys once I get them in front of me.”
“With Zuffa Boxing, I’m going to go after the biggest fights in the sport, and I will become the number one pound-for-pound fighter in the world,” added Shakur.
“Shakur is one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world,” said UFC President Dana White in the same press release. “He’s 29 years old, undefeated and already a four-division world champion. This is a massive signing for Zuffa Boxing, and I’m looking forward to promoting this next fight.”
It looked like a perfect match for both, but following failed negotiations to make a fight, Shakur has departed.
Explaining his departure in a post on YouTube, Shakur said:
“I’m here to tell you all about the wild journey that I’ve been on the last couple of months. I’ve been working my as* off, staying focused, staying in shape.
“I’ve been in camp for like 8 weeks preparing for fights that I was told were going to happen. It has not happened, but it is what it is. This is the business of boxing.
“I’m not mad at anyone or pointing any fingers, but upon all of these issues and things that have been going on, I requested to be released from Zuffa Boxing. Over the weekend my request has been granted and I am officially a free agent.”
Eddie Hearn talks signing Shakur Stevenson
Speaking to Fight Hub TV, Eddie Hearn was asked if Matchroom are trying to re-sign Shakur Stevenson (25-0, 11 KOs), having previously worked with the current WBO and Ring Magazine super lightweight champion.
“Of course. Who wouldn’t? I think there’s a lot of people trying to sign Shakur Stevenson, and he’s gonna talk to everybody, as he should. I felt for a long time, since we started working together. I know we only did like one fight, and then…that we could forge a wonderful partnership that would see him go on and become the fighter that I know he is, which is an all-time generational great. So, we’ll have to see. He’s got a good team of people around him. Everybody’s gonna be in the race. We’d love to try and win it,” said Hearn.
The Matchroom Sport Chairman was asked where they are in that race and whether offers have been made: “Yeah, and I was in Houston seeing the guys, but they’re gonna meet everybody. Hopefully they feel like we’re the best direction for them. I know that we can deliver the fights for him, and I know that we’ll give him the security he needs to not mess his career up, to actually lock in regular dates and opponents to make sure that he can create the legacy that I believe he can,” Hearn said.
The Big Fight Weekend verdict
Shakur Stevenson to Zuffa has not worked, and it’s clear promises have not been delivered on. You don’t leave a deal that quickly unless it’s gone south quickly.
It’s a detriment to the sport that Shakur has not fought since his impressive win over Teofimo Lopez. He’s an elite fighter, and seeing him fight only once a year is frustrating as a boxing fan, as I’m sure it is to many others. Stevenson is now a free agent, and it’s clear he and his team are going to listen to every offer, but it’s intriguing to hear Hearn in the race for the American southpaw.
Hearn says he can deliver the fights for Shakur. If he gets that over the line, could we see Stevenson vs Devin Haney, or even Stevenson vs Gervonta Davis? Whatever gets Shakur Stevenson back in the ring, Big Fight Weekend are behind!
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Featured Image Credit:
Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
Ricky Carroll
Freelance Writer and Digital Marketer, spending most of his time waiting for Andy Cruz to win a world title. Also watches YouTube videos of Lennox Lewis fights on a daily basis.