The Matchroom chairman says Stevenson’s future is now tied to Zuffa as questions remain about his next opponent
Eddie Hearn says Shakur Stevenson has signed with Zuffa Boxing, providing the clearest public indication yet that the former world champion has committed his future to the promotion. Hearn made the revelation while discussing Zuffa’s boxing plans and the challenges of matching its growing stable of fighters.
“Shakur signed with Zuffa, so that will be him moving forward,” said Hearn to Fight Hub TV.
The comment is one of the clearest public indications yet that Stevenson has chosen Zuffa as his next promotional home. Stevenson has been heavily linked to the company in recent months, but Hearn’s remarks suggested the deal is already done.
Hearn also admitted he is curious to see how the promotion handles one of boxing’s most accomplished fighters.
“But I just don’t know who they’re going to put him in with because Zuffa are paying these guys five times more than anybody else,” said Hearn.
“You going to put Shakur in with O’Shaquie Foster and give him $15 million? I mean, good luck to Shakur. I love him. I said to him, he’s great, mate.”
Stevenson enters the reported move as one of the sport’s most accomplished active fighters and a boxer who has consistently pursued high-profile fights throughout his career.
Hearn believes that mentality has not changed.
“I think Shakur is a legacy guy, but you get told all different things. They’re probably saying to you, you’re going to fight Haney, you’re going to fight this guy, you’re going to fight that guy.”
Whether those fights materialize remains to be seen. For now, Hearn’s comments appear to have answered one question that has followed Stevenson for months: where he plans to continue his career.
