Promoter Eddie Hearn recently announced signing Shakur Stevenson to a two-fight deal with Matchroom Boxing. This deal will feature Shakur defending his WBC lightweight title against Joe Cordina, followed potentially by a match against William Zepeda in early 2025. Hearn has expressed interest in matching Shakur against Gervonta Davis in the summer of the following year, assuming he gets past Zepeda. However, there are concerns that if Shakur repeats his evasive tactics as seen in his fight against Edwin De Los Santos, his popularity may suffer, making a potential fight with Davis irrelevant. The two-fight deal signed by Hearn gives both parties the option to part ways quickly if the relationship is not beneficial, emphasizing the importance of Shakur’s performance in these upcoming fights.
Hearn believes that Shakur Stevenson, with a record of 22-0 and 10 knockouts, has the potential to be a superstar in the world of boxing. He feels that he can promote Shakur effectively and elevate him to a global superstar status. However, observations from Shakur’s previous fights, especially his struggle against Edwin De Los Santos, suggest that he may not be as invincible as perceived. His style, heavily reliant on defense, may be limiting his ability to appeal to a broader audience. To be considered a pound-for-pound star and a global attraction, fighters typically need to showcase a more well-rounded skill set and be willing to engage in exchanges rather than purely focusing on defense.
Hearn outlined a two-fight plan for Shakur Stevenson, starting with Joe Cordina and potentially leading up to a match with William Zepeda. The outcome of these fights will determine the direction of Shakur’s career and his long-term prospects with Matchroom Boxing. Hearn aims to demonstrate their value to Shakur during this period of collaboration and eventually move forward with matches against top-tier fighters like Gervonta Davis. While Shakur is praised for his defensive prowess and ability to play the villain role effectively in interviews, his entertainment value may not resonate with the preferences of American boxing fans. Previous attempts by his former promoters at Top Rank to elevate his star status were hindered by his overly cautious fighting style, which failed to capture the attention of the average American audience.
The signing of Shakur Stevenson to a two-fight deal with Matchroom Boxing presents an opportunity for both the fighter and the promotion to evaluate their collaboration potential. While Hearn sees potential in Shakur as a future superstar, there are concerns about his fighting style and marketability in the American boxing landscape. The upcoming fights against Joe Cordina and potentially William Zepeda will serve as critical moments for Shakur to prove his worth and potentially secure a long-term contract with Matchroom Boxing. Only time will tell if Shakur Stevenson can live up to the expectations set by promoter Eddie Hearn and establish himself as a true pound-for-pound star in the sport of boxing.