WBO junior welterweight champion Shakur Stevenson revealed in a YouTube video that he has parted ways with Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing, despite never making his debut under the promotion.
Stevenson (25-0, 11 KOs) explained in the video that he requested a release from his contract after just three months with Zuffa Boxing, and his request was granted. The decision follows the collapse of a showdown between Stevenson and reigning WBO welterweight champion Devin Haney. Both fighters have publicly blamed each other for the negotiations falling apart.
"Over the weekend, my request was granted, so I am now officially a free agent,” Stevenson stated in his YouTube video.
Stevenson revealed that he had dedicated eight weeks to training for the potential bout against Haney. Despite the disappointment, he expressed no bitterness, acknowledging that setbacks and negotiations falling through are simply part of the business of boxing.
A 2016 U.S. Olympic silver medalist, Stevenson has captured world titles in four different weight classes: featherweight, junior lightweight, lightweight and junior welterweight. When he signed with Zuffa Boxing in July, he instantly became the promotion’s most high-profile boxer.
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Stevenson’s most recent fight took place in January, when he claimed a unanimous decision victory over Teofimo Lopez at Madison Square Garden to take the WBO 140-pound title.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Shakur Stevenson granted release from Zuffa Boxing after three months