Shakur Stevenson is now a promotional free agent having fought the last fight on his contract with Bob Arum and Top Rank.
It came as no great surprise when Stevenson rejected the option to renew with Top Rank to field offers from other promoters.
Since then his team has had approaches from Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing and Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions as the 27-year-old, three-weight world champion ponders his next step. He has also left the door open for a link-up with Floyd Mayweather and his outfit.
Many fans would argue that Stevenson may not necessarily be a promoter’s dream. There are few who question his talent but his fighting style has been criticised as less than entertaining with fans at his last fight leaving before the final bell.
Speaking to Best Womens Boxing Show Period, Arum made it clear who Shakur should sign with next – whichever promoter offers him the most money.
“Whoever guarantees him the most money, because that’s what it’s about.
None of these people are going to perform miracles, he is what he is. He’s got to maximise his abilities, which are great, and make them as lucrative as possible in terms of money.
We offered him, because we feel he’s a top talent, an enormous amount of money – it was going to be six fights at $18 million minimum and he turned that down, which is okay, he’s allowed to. [There was no negotiation] he just left in a huff, but I’m not angry at him because he stayed until the end of his contract and free agency is free agency, when the contract is up he’s entitled to go and look for a better deal and that’s how the system works.
He performed his contract the way he was supposed to and now he’s a free agent and good luck to him.”
