Shakur Stevenson Leaves Zuffa Boxing and Becomes a Free Agent

Shakur Stevenson's time with Zuffa Boxing has ended after a few months. The champion used social media to reveal that he had asked to be released from the company and that the request was granted over the weekend, leaving him a free agent only a few months after he signed. He never fought under the Zuffa banner.

The split follows the collapse of a proposed fight with Devin Haney. Stevenson explained that he had spent eight weeks in training camp preparing for fights he had been told would take place, and none of them materialised. He framed the situation as part of the business rather than a personal dispute. "I'm not mad at anyone, I'm not pointing no fingers," he said.

Taking his career into his own hands

Instead of looking for another single promotional home, Stevenson says he is starting his own promotional company. He added that he is open to working with other promoters and with anyone who is serious about his career, describing the move as the start of a new journey that he is excited about.

His goals in the ring have not changed. Stevenson wants the biggest and best fights available at 135 or 140 pounds, the weight classes where he holds his title, and he insists the name of the opponent does not matter to him. "None of these guys can beat me," he declared.

Stevenson also addressed the steady calls for him to move up to welterweight. He said he will get to 147 pounds, perhaps in a year or two, but stressed that it will happen on his own schedule and not because others are pushing him. For now, Stevenson is without a promoter and free to negotiate with whoever can deliver the fights he wants.