WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson has addressed the rumours that he has parted ways with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing.
Stevenson successfully defended his title against last-minute replacement Josh Padley on February 22, after his original opponent, Floyd Schofield, was forced to withdraw from the contest with he became unwell during fight week. It was the first fight in a deal with Matchroom after a bout with Joe Cordina was pulled last year due to an injury on Stevenson’s part.
The 27-year-old from Newark, New Jersey will now move on to defend his WBC crown against the unbeaten Interim champion William Zepeda on a July 12 Ring Magazine card which will also feature Edgar Berlanga vs Hamzah Sheeraz.
After news broke of this upcoming title defence, Dan Rafael reported that the unbeaten 27-year-old had split with Matchroom in favour of promoter Lou DiBella.
Speaking on The Danza Project, Stevenson addressed these rumours, revealing that he will be a free agent after he faces Zepeda in July but this defence is still with Matchroom.
“I mean I try not to get too much into contracts but after this I’ll be free to do whatever I want.”
Stevenson signed with the company last summer after his working relationship with Bob Arum’s Top Rank came to an end. The 27-year-old’s showdown with Zepeda will be his second and final fight in the deal after he defeated Britain’s Padley via ninth round stoppage in February. Promoter Hearn has expressed an interest in extending the partnership.
The unbeaten American remains on a collision course with countryman and reigning WBA lightweight champion Gervonta Davis, however with Davis looking for a rematch with Lamont Roach Jr next and then potentially taking a sideshow fight with Jake Paul, fans won’t be convinced it happens anytime this year.
