SHAKUR STEVENSON is no longer a free agent.
The 27-year-old was last night announced as a Matchroom fighter after signing a deal with the promotion two months after parting ways with Top Rank.
Stevenson, the current WBC world lightweight champion, will defend his title on October 12 against Joe Cordina, who joined Matchroom in February 2017. Their fight serves as the main support to the undisputed light heavyweight title fight between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol in Riyadh.
Matchroom Sport chairman Eddie Hearn has long admired Stevenson and brought the Newark left-hander to his show in Philadelphia on July 13, which featured Jaron Ennis. Stevenson was also at the BMO Arena in Los Angeles to watch his friend Terence Crawford defeat Israil Madrimov. The inaugural Riyadh Season event gave Hearn and Turki Alalshikh more time to impress Stevenson and bring him on board.
“I am ready to start the next chapter of my career and that starts on October 12th with Joe Cordina at the Riyadh Season in Saudi Arabia,” said Stevenson.
“I’ve made it clear that I want the biggest names and the biggest fights in the sport. Put William Zepeda in the top fight in 2025 and I’m ready for anyone brave enough to step into the ring with me. There have been very few people willing to take on that challenge in recent years.
“With Matchroom and Riyadh Season, I am joining forces with a promotional force that matches my world-class talent. We will be unstoppable in and out of the ring, and I will continue to show my dominance in the sport of boxing for many years to come.”
While this is a huge blow for Hearn, Stevenson will be under pressure to look good and impress his new promoter and Alalshikh. The three-division world champion is one of the most talented fighters in the sport but his recent performances have not been easy on the eyes. If he beats Cordina then fans will demand that Stevenson take it to the next level and face one of Gervonta Davis, Vasyl Lomachenko or William Zepeda.
“I am delighted to welcome a fighter who I believe is a great fighter to the Matchroom team,” said Hearn.
“Shakur Stevenson is only 27 years old and is already a three-division world champion and could be unbeatable in boxing.
“This young man is going to be a global superstar, and I believe that with our support, he will win every major victory and receive every recognition he deserves.
“The journey begins on October 12 in Riyadh on a big card, and we look forward to the future together.”
