Sports · Combat Sports · 1 hr ago
Shakur Stevenson leaves Zuffa Boxing and plans to promote himself
Shakur Stevenson has left Zuffa Boxing, the promotion founded by Dana White, before fighting under its banner.
The undefeated 29-year-old boxer said he spent about eight weeks training for fights that did not happen.
He said he requested his release because the promotion could not secure the fights he wanted.
Stevenson said he is not blaming anyone and that his release was granted over the weekend.
He plans to start his own promotional company rather than sign with another promoter.
He wants major fights at 135 or 140 pounds, where he says he holds a title.
He is open to working with other promoters, and a possible fight with fellow undefeated boxer Devin Haney has been discussed.
Shakur Stevenson says Zuffa Boxing granted his request to leave, making him a free agent.
He had not fought under the promotion since signing a multi-fight contract.
Stevenson says he plans to start his own promotional company and is open to working with other promoters.
He says he wants the biggest fights at 135 or 140 pounds and will move to 147 on his own timeline.
The split follows stalled discussions for a possible fight with Devin Haney.
- Who
- Shakur Stevenson, a four-division champion and WBO junior welterweight titleholder.
- What
- He says Zuffa Boxing granted his request for release, and he plans to start his own promotional company.
- When
- He announced the release on Monday, October 19, 2026; he said the request was granted over the weekend.
- Where
- Not stated
- Why
- Stevenson said fights he had been preparing for did not happen. Discussions for a possible fight with Devin Haney had also stalled.
Shakur Stevenson
Devin Haney
Proposed fight weight
Shakur Stevenson
Stevenson said he wanted the fight at a catchweight of 145 pounds and was not ready to move to 147.
Devin Haney
Haney and Stevenson argued online about what weight the fight was supposed to take place at; Haney’s specific position is not stated.
Responsibility for stalled talks
Shakur Stevenson
Stevenson said he was not blaming anyone.
Devin Haney
The fighters accused each other on social media of being the problem, but Haney’s specific remarks are not stated.
Stevenson moved up to 140 pounds and won the WBO title with a decision over Teofimo Lopez Jr.
Stevenson signed with Zuffa Boxing; ESPN reported July, while CBS Sports said August.
Talks for a possible fight with Devin Haney appeared to stall, and the fighters argued online about the weight.
Zuffa Boxing granted Stevenson’s request for release.
Stevenson announced that he was a free agent and planned to start his own promotional company.
- Record
- 25-0, with 11 knockouts
- Age
- 29
- Title
- WBO junior welterweight title at 140 pounds
- Release
- Granted over the weekend before October 19, 2026
- Planned promotion
- Stevenson said he would start his own promotional company
4 sources
What people are saying
I've requested to be released from Zuffa Boxing. Now, over the weekend, my request has been granted and I'm officially a free agent.
The mission is still the same,
I will get there but on my time and not on nobody else's [time].