The Shakur Stevenson era in Zuffa Boxing is over.
Barely 100 days after Stevenson was announced as a marquee signing for UFC CEO Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing, the undefeated WBO light welterweight champion announced on his YouTube channel that he is parting ways with the promotion without having fought under its banner.
According to Stevenson (25-0), he formally requested his release, which was granted this past weekend.
“I’ve been working my ass off,” Stevenson said. “Staying focused, staying in shape. 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.
“Now, over the weekend, my request has been granted and I am officially a free agent. 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.”
Stevenson’s signing was announced as a multi-fight deal this past July, but the 29-year-old never laced up the gloves for Zuffa Boxing. The exact terms of his contract with the organization were not disclosed.
He currently holds a WBO title at 140 pounds after previously capturing belts in the featherweight, super featherweight, and lightweight divisions. In his most recent fight this past January, Stevenson became light welterweight champion by defeating Teofimo Lopez via unanimous decision in a highly anticipated matchup.
Going forward, Stevenson plans to defend his title and eventually move up to the welterweight division.
“I’m just excited,” Stevenson said. “I’m excited to be in this position, I’m excited to be starting a new journey and the mission is still the same: I want the biggest and best fights available at 135 pounds or 140 pounds, where I hold my title. 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.”