On Thursday, Matchroom Boxing announced the signing of Shakur Stevenson. The WBC World Lightweight Champion stated that he is ready to show his dominance for many years to come in the sport of boxing, with support from Matchroom and Riyadh Season.
Eddie Hearn, the chairman of Matchroom, said Shakur Stevenson has signed a two-fight deal with the promotion. Hearn added that Stevenson’s first boxing match will take place against Joe Cordina on October 12. Hearn also said they have planned the second fight against William Zepeda in February.
“I feel like I’ve promoted Shakur Stevenson for years, really, because I’ve talked about him for years. I think that’s a bit unusual for promoters to talk about the ability and the potential Superstar status of a fighter that’s not even there, but that’s how high I rate this young man. I know my boxing, and I know how good this kid is. He may be unbeatable, I know he’s a pound-for-pound star. There’s something about Shakur Stevenson’s mentality that gives me confidence that he beat everybody. I think he’s been massively undersold; I think he should be not just an American superstar but a global superstar. I think he’s edgy, I think he’s ballsy, I think he’s unbelievably talented. I’m going to do everything I can to give him the platform and the promotional push that his ability deserves.
I’m honored to welcome him to the stable amongst an elite group of global fighters, but Shakur’s plan is this two-fight plan of Joe Cordina, and if he’s triumphant into the Zepeda fight and we’ll show him during that period our value. We’ll work together closely, and then we’ll move forward. Gervonta Davis, everybody, you know, I hope this is two fights that lead to the rest of Shakur Stevenson’s career with Matchroom.”