By: Sean Crose
“Due to a hand injury sustained by Shakur Stevenson, he is unable to compete against Joe Cordina in the Bivol-Beterbiev co-main event at the upcoming Riyadh Season event on October 12 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,” Matchroom Boxing, Stevenson’s promoter, said in a press release on Wednesday. “The WBC lightweight world champion underwent immediate surgery. After a successful recovery, Stevenson is expected to return to the ring in early 2025.”
Stevenson, who was preparing to face Cordina in the highly anticipated Bivol-Beterbiev fight, will now have to wait a while before stepping into the ring again. “He injured his hand in training camp,” Matchbook boss Eddie Hearn said. Combat Center“He was training in Colorado and had a scan last night and he tore the tendon in his knuckle. He had surgery right away this morning. He had surgery.”
Asked about the fighter’s feelings, Hearn said Shakur was “very disappointed; disappointed for himself and we’re disappointed for Shakur and Joe Cordina and for Riyadh Season but there’s nothing you can do about it”. Hearn went on to stress that Shakur was expected to be ready to fight next winter. “We’ve been told we can expect him to be ready in February,” Hearn said.
For those who don’t know, Shakur is considered one of the most talented fighters in all of boxing. At 27, the New Jersey native has won world titles in multiple weight classes and currently sits atop the lightweight division with the WBC world title around his waist. There’s been a lot of talk about him eventually taking on ring star Gervonta “Tank” Davis in a true superfight.
In the meantime, however, the undefeated Stevenson must focus on healing. “God works in mysterious ways through the ups and downs,” Stevenson declared on social media alongside a photo of himself in a hospital bed. “I’m as hungry and motivated as ever. 2025 will be my best year yet. The surgery went well, it was a small setback for a big comeback.”
There is no doubt that this latest development is clearly not good news for the British Cordina, but Hearn is making it clear that he will be looking to get his fighter a notable opponent to face as soon as possible.
