Shakur Stevenson has left Zuffa Boxing just three months after signing a deal with the promotion, ending a short partnership without fighting under its banner. The undefeated four-division world champion announced the move in a YouTube video on Monday, saying he had asked for his release after spending weeks preparing for fights that never happened.
Stevenson confirmed that Zuffa Boxing granted his request over the weekend, leaving him free to negotiate with other promoters. Stevenson also plans to start his own boxing promotion, giving him more say over his future fights and career decisions.
With a perfect 25-0 record, Stevenson remains focused on securing major fights at 135 or 140 pounds while keeping his long-term goal of becoming boxing’s best pound-for-pound fighter.
Shakur Stevenson Leaves Zuffa Boxing After Failed Fight Plans
Stevenson said he spent around eight weeks in training camp preparing for fights he expected to take place, but those plans failed to move forward.
“I’ve been working my ass off, staying focused, staying in shape. But I’ve been in camp for like eight weeks preparing for fights that I was told was going to happen, and it has not happened,” Stevenson said.
He added that he was not blaming anyone for the situation.
“It is what it is. This is the business of boxing. I’m not mad at anyone. I’m not pointing no fingers.”
Stevenson said the problems led him to ask Zuffa Boxing to release him. Stevenson is now free to negotiate with other promoters after Zuffa Boxing approved his release over the weekend.
The boxer signed a multi-fight deal with Zuffa Boxing in July. UFC president Dana White and Turki Alalshikh co-founded the company. Stevenson praised the deal’s financial terms and expected the partnership to help secure major fights.
However, he never competed under the Zuffa Boxing banner. Reports said talks over possible fights involving Devin Haney and Gary Antuanne Russell stalled over issues including weight and rehydration clauses. Zuffa Boxing had not issued a public statement about his departure as of Monday evening.
Shakur Stevenson Plans to Launch His Own Boxing Company
Rather than sign another promotional deal immediately, Stevenson plans to establish his own company and work with promoters who share his goals.
“I am now taking my career in my own hands and I’m starting my own promotional company, and I’m willing to work with other promoters and anybody else that’s out there that’s willing to be serious about my career as I am about my career,” he said.
Stevenson will now choose how to plan his fights and which promoters and networks he works with. He also said he was open to co-promotional deals and partnerships with networks interested in working with him.
Stevenson remains undefeated at 25-0, with 11 knockouts. Stevenson’s most recent appearance came at Madison Square Garden on January 31, where he earned a unanimous decision win over Teofimo Lopez in the Ring 6 main event.
The victory earned Stevenson the Ring and WBO junior welterweight titles, adding to his world titles at featherweight, junior lightweight and lightweight.
Shakur Stevenson Targets Major Fights at 135 and 140 Pounds
Stevenson said his immediate goal remains securing the biggest fights available at 135 or 140 pounds. He insisted that he was ready to face any opponent.
“It doesn’t matter the name. It doesn’t matter who you put in front of me. None of these guys can beat me,” he said.
The champion also discussed a possible move to welterweight at 147 pounds in the next year or two. However, he stressed that he would make the move when he felt ready.
“I will get there, but on my term and not on nobody else’s.”
Stevenson also repeated his ambition to become the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in boxing. He ended his video by thanking his supporters and promising to keep working toward that goal.
“For my people that trust and believe in my talent, I will not let y’all down.”
With his release from Zuffa Boxing confirmed, Stevenson is now free to pursue fights through his new company and other promotional partners. His next steps will determine how he arranges the major matchups he wants at 135 and 140 pounds.
Dogli Wilberforce is a boxing writer for Sportsnaut, covering fight news, fighter reactions, and major bouts involving the sport’s … More about Dogli Wilberforce