Shakur
Stevenson

Pound-for-pound talent Shakur Stevenson signed promotional terms with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing in August 2024. Stevenson was originally slated to defend his WBC World Lightweight Title against Joe Cordina in Riyadh a few months later, but the American suffered a hand injury in camp and was forced out of the fight and to the operating table.

Once healed up, Stevenson was due to defend his Gold against fellow unbeaten American Floyd Schofield in February 2025, as part of the mega Artur Beterbiev-Dmitry Bivol 2 card. Kid Austin, however, fell ill on fight week and up stepped Englishman Josh Padley on just a few days’ notice. Padley gave a great account of himself but Shakur secured a ninth round stoppage after a series of body shots ended the fight.

The 28-year-old's next bout saw him return to America that summer to face pressure-fighter William Zepeda in the third defense of his 135lb World Title. Previously criticised as being too defensive in fights, Shakur decided to stand and trade with Zepeda for much of their encounter and it proved thrilling. Shakur's defensive abilities still shone through and he ran out a comfortable winner by unanimous decision.

After years calling for fights agains the marquee names, Stevenson finally got his wish in January 2026. Moving up to the Super Lightweight division, Stevenson landed a monster fight with Teofimo Lopez at a sold out Madison Square Garden in New York. After an entertaining build-up, the Newark-born fighter dropped a masterful performance to take Teofimo's WBO World and Ring Magazine Titles by UD.

The four-weight World Champion had previously stated a desire to return to his natural weight class of 135lbs, but is also flirting with a venture up to Welterweight after calling on a blockbuster showdown with England's Conor Benn in the immediate aftermath of victory over Teofimo.