Shakur Stevenson is a free agent after ending his contract with Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing without stepping into the ring under their banner. The WBO junior welterweight champion announced in a YouTube video that his release request, made just three months after signing, was granted over the weekend.
Stevenson, who remains undefeated at 25-0 with 11 knockouts, said he had spent eight weeks preparing for a potential fight against WBO welterweight champion Devin Haney. That bout fell through amid public disputes between both fighters over negotiations. Stevenson did not assign blame but acknowledged setbacks like these are part of boxing’s business side.
The 2016 U.S. Olympic silver medalist captured world titles across four weight classes: featherweight, junior lightweight, lightweight, and junior welterweight. When he signed with Zuffa Boxing in July, he instantly became the promotion’s most prominent boxer, but he never actually fought for them.
Stevenson’s last fight took place in January at Madison Square Garden, where he won the WBO 140-pound title by unanimous decision against Teofimo Lopez. The collapse of the Haney fight was a blow after such a high-profile win and the months spent training.
In his video, Stevenson stated simply, “Over the weekend, my request was granted, so I am now officially a free agent.” The split with Zuffa Boxing came without any bouts under their promotion, raising questions about his next career move.
The disagreement with Haney remains unresolved, with both fighters publicly blaming each other for the failed negotiations. No new opponents or fights have been announced for Stevenson since his release.
Zuffa Boxing, led by UFC president Dana White, had hoped to build around Stevenson as their star boxer, but the partnership lasted only three months. The promotion has yet to comment on the departure.
Stevenson’s status as a free agent opens the door to new opportunities, but his next steps are unconfirmed. For now, the boxer who once held four world titles in different divisions remains without a fight scheduled and outside any promotional contract.
According to Yahoo Sports.
