Shakur Stevenson is officially a free agent. On Monday, the undefeated 25-0 champion announced that he has secured his release from Zuffa Boxing — a promotion he signed with in July but never actually fought for.
Shakur Stevenson (Credits: Fightful)
“Grand opening, grand closing,” might as well be the slogan for Stevenson’s brief stint with Zuffa. In a statement shared via MMAFighting, the WBO 140-pound champion revealed that frustration over inactivity drove his decision to ask out.
“Fights That Were Told Were Going to Happen”
“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.”
He made it clear there’s no bad blood: “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.”
Taking the Career Into His Own Hands
According to Stevenson, his request was granted over the weekend, and he is now officially a free agent. But the bigger story may be what comes next: the 28-year-old revealed he is starting his own promotional company.
“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,” he said.
Stevenson last fought in January, when he defeated Teofimo Lopez — a signature win that cemented his place among the sport’s elite. The question now is who he’ll align with, and whether the new promotional outfit can land him the big fights fans have been waiting for.
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Source: Fightful — read the full story there.
