Shakur Stevenson Gets Released From Zuffa Boxing

Shakur Stevenson has secured his release from Zuffa Boxing without ever fighting under the promotion's banner, and the undefeated WBO light welterweight champion says he is now a free agent launching his own promotional company.

Stevenson (25-0) announced the split on his YouTube channel, saying he requested the release himself and that it was granted this past weekend. The move comes roughly 100 days after Zuffa Boxing, backed by UFC CEO Dana White, touted Stevenson's signing as a marquee addition to its roster in a multi-fight deal announced this past July. The terms of that contract were never made public, and Stevenson never stepped into the ring for the promotion.

"I've been working my ass off, staying focused, staying in shape," Stevenson said. "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. 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."

The breakdown follows a proposed matchup with Devin Haney that never came together. Stevenson said he is done waiting on promises.

"Now, over the weekend, my request has been granted and I am officially a free agent," Stevenson said. "This time, I want to tell the fans and tell everybody that's in the public that 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."

What This Means For Stevenson's Title and Next Fight

Stevenson still holds the WBO 140-pound title he won in January when he outpointed Teofimo Lopez by unanimous decision, a result that made him a champion in a fourth weight class after previous reigns at featherweight, super featherweight and lightweight. He says he intends to keep defending that belt and eventually campaign at welterweight.

"I want the biggest and best fights available at 135 pounds or 140 pounds, where I hold my title," Stevenson said. "It doesn't matter the name, it doesn't matter who you put in front of me. None of these guys can beat me. I say give it maybe a year or two, we will get to 147, where everybody is pressing me to be a 147-pounder. I will get there, but on my time, and not on nobody else's."

By starting his own promotional company, Stevenson is positioning himself to control his own matchmaking rather than wait on a single promoter's schedule, a model that gives him more leverage but also puts the burden on him to actually deliver fights.

Betting Angle

Stevenson walking away from a signed, multi-fight deal without ever boxing under it is a red flag for anyone trying to price his next fight. Until he lands with a new promoter or finalizes a deal through his own company, sportsbooks have nothing firm to hang a line on. The Haney fight was the obvious market mover here, a genuinely competitive 140-pound unification that would have drawn serious two-way action. With that fight dead for now, bettors should treat any Stevenson market as speculative until an opponent and date are actually locked in. His in-ring price would likely open heavily favored against most domestic options given his unbeaten record and technical edge, but the real betting interest returns only once he is matched with another beltholder or a name like Haney gets revived.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Shakur Stevenson leave Zuffa Boxing?

Shakur Stevenson requested his release from Zuffa Boxing after spending roughly eight weeks in camp for fights that were promised but never materialized, including a proposed matchup with Devin Haney that fell apart.

Did Shakur Stevenson ever fight for Zuffa Boxing?

No, Shakur Stevenson never competed under the Zuffa Boxing banner despite signing a multi-fight deal with the promotion this past July.

What titles does Shakur Stevenson currently hold?

Shakur Stevenson holds the WBO light welterweight title, which he won in January 2025 by defeating Teofimo Lopez by unanimous decision, after previously winning belts at featherweight, super featherweight and lightweight.