Promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed that he has a deal agreed with His Excellency Turki Alalshikh for Matchroom fighter Shakur Stevenson to defend his WBC light-weight title in opposition to William Zepeda in early 2025 on February twenty second, so long as Zepeda wins his subsequent battle on November sixteenth and agrees to the provide.
Zepeda (31-0, 27 KOs) faces Tevin Farmer on November sixteenth on Latino Evening at The Venue in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Zepeda’s promoter, Oscar De La Hoya, needs the battle with Shakur (22-0, 10 KOs), so long as it’s in a “small ring” to forestall Stevenson from operating. Farmer isn’t anticipated to provide Zepeda any issues of their battle.
In a small ring, there’s a really actual risk that Zepeda will entice Shakur, damage him, and knock him out. That would depart Hearn with a tarnished fighter with one battle left on his two-fight contract together with his Matchroom Boxing firm. Hearn won’t wish to lengthen Shakur’s contract when it ends.
Shakur Has Agreed to a Small Ring
Shakur agreed to that situation on social media, however we don’t know but whether or not he would comply with the battle being positioned in a 16-foot ring, which is the smallest allowable beneath the principles. On X, Shakur mentioned this about agreeing to a small ring: “The ring measurement doesn’t matter to me.”
In a hoop of that measurement, Shakur would don’t have any escape from Zepeda, and he must battle him. If Shakur doesn’t change his thoughts about combating in a small ring, this battle goes to be an entertaining one for the followers. It’ll present whether or not Stevenson can deal with a quantity puncher with energy and a robust chin.
Shakur couldn’t use his peck-and-scat fashion. It’ll be bodily not possible for Stevenson, 27, to flee the stress from Zepeda in a small 16-ft boxing ring, which may finish badly for him.
Stevenson might want to work out methods to take care of the 100+ punches thrown per spherical by Zepeda, as a result of motion and throwing single potshots received’t maintain him off.
Zepeda: Harmful Struggle For Shakur
“It’s been ordered by the WBC. Clearly, now we have an settlement with His Excellency for Shakur’s battle in opposition to Zepeda, supplied Zepeda takes it, supplied every little thing’s so as. I consider you’ll see that battle in Riyadh,” mentioned Eddie Hearn to Boxing Information a few potential battle between WBC light-weight champion Shakur Stevenson and #1 contender William Zepeda for February twenty second, 2025.
“Shakur mentioned, ‘Straight into that battle February twenty second.’ Who is aware of? However that will be an amazing battle. It’s a conflict of types. It’s a harmful battle for Shakur to go straight again into after the hand surgical procedure, however this child is particular. He’s prepared to point out the world how nice he’s,” Hearn mentioned.
Stevenson has by no means proven that he was a “nice” fighter in any of the divisions he fought at since turning skilled in 2017. He’s nonetheless within the proving levels of his profession similar to Zepeda and plenty of different fighters. Being a world champion on this period of boxing doesn’t imply a lot.
To be seen as an actual champion, fighters like Shakur and others want victories over high-level opposition in 50-50 fights or ones the place they’re not the favourite. Shakur was the overwhelming favourite in his three-division world title fights, which factors to him being maneuvered.
“Hear, the man is already a three-weight world champion,” mentioned Hearn when requested if Shakur is likely to be making a mistake speeding again from a hand harm straight right into a harmful battle in opposition to William Zepeda. “A little bit of hand surgical procedure – it’s not going to vary the best way he fights. It’s not going to vary his capacity. He can beat all people on the planet. So, let him go.”
Shakur’s three division world title wins examined:
– Edwin De Los Santos: WBC light-weight
– Jamel Herring: WBO tremendous featherweight
– Joet Gonzalez: WBO featherweight
