LAS VEGAS — Shakur Stevenson’s brief association with Zuffa Boxing is over without a single bout, barely 100 days after the undefeated WBO light welterweight champion was unveiled as a marquee signing for UFC chief executive Dana White’s new boxing promotion. The 29-year-old, who holds a perfect 25-0 record, announced on his YouTube channel that he formally requested his release and that it was granted over the weekend.
“I’ve been working my ass off,” Stevenson said. “Staying focused, staying in shape. 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 but look, it is what it is. This is the business of boxing. I’m not mad at anyone, I’m not pointing no fingers, but upon all of these issues and things that’s been going on, I requested to be released from Zuffa Boxing. Now, over the weekend, my request has been granted and I am officially a free agent. This time, I want to tell the fans and tell everybody that’s in the public that 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.”
Stevenson’s multi-fight deal with Zuffa Boxing was announced in July, though the exact terms of his contract were not disclosed, and he never laced up the gloves under its banner. He currently holds the WBO title at 140 pounds after previously capturing belts in the featherweight, super featherweight and lightweight divisions, and in his most recent outing in January he became light welterweight champion by defeating Teofimo Lopez via unanimous decision in a highly anticipated matchup.
Going forward, Stevenson said he plans to defend his title before eventually moving up to welterweight and will now steer his own career. “I’m just excited,” Stevenson said. “I’m excited to be in this position, I’m excited to be starting a new journey and the mission is still the same: I want the biggest and best fights available at 135 pounds or 140 pounds, where I hold my title. It doesn’t matter the name, it doesn’t matter who you put in front of me. None of these guys can beat me. I say give it maybe a year or two, we will get to 147, where everybody is pressing me to be a 147-pounder. I will get there, but on my time, and not on nobody else’s.”