Shakur Stevenson is currently sidelined following hand surgery but he wants to go straight into a tough fight on his return.
That fight will not be rescheduled and Stevenson will instead face William Zepeda, the undefeated Mexican pressure fighter who is in the unique position of being number one with all four sanctioning bodies.
Speaking to Boxing News, promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed that the fight was next.
“It’s been ordered by the WBC. Obviously we have an agreement with His Excellency [Turki Alalshikh] for Shakur’s fight against Zepeda. Providing Zepeda takes it, providing everything’s in order, I believe you’ll see that fight in Riyadh. Shakur said straight into that fight.
February 22nd? Who knows. But that would be a tremendous fight. It’s a great clash of styles. A dangerous fight for Shakur to go into after the hand surgery, but this kid’s special and he’s ready to show the world how great he is.”
Stevenson then added his own comment to news directed at Zepeda.
“He better not b***h up.”
He better not bitch up 😤 https://t.co/ahzTZhI0Fs
— Shakur Stevenson (@ShakurStevenson) November 9, 2024
Shakur has previously spoken on the match-up, vowing to ‘dismantle’ Zepeda.
“They claim Zepeda to be a punching machine, they say he a monster, well I’m gonna dismantle him after a 7 month lay off and surgery… And all you people who think he’s like that better have the same energy after the fight cause February he will take his first loss, that’s my word and he only gonna be an example of what’s to come!!
Should he keep ahold of his undefeated record fans will want to see him step through the ropes with Gervonta Davis for a unification bout and one of the most intriguing clashes of styles the sport has to offer.
