Shakur Stevenson Inks Pact with Matchroom Boxing

Boxing’s worst kept secret just became a reality.

In a significant coup for Matchroom Boxing, Eddie Hearn has added another star to his growing stable of American fighters. The promotional powerhouse announced that WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson (22-0, 10 KOs) has signed a multi-fight deal with the company. At 27 years old, Stevenson joins a formidable roster that includes Jaron “Boots” Ennis and Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez, bolstering Matchroom’s bid to become a huge player in the American boxing scene.

The announcement was made with much fanfare on Matchroom’s social media channels, where they lauded Stevenson as a “pound-for-pound, 22-0, three-weight great and current WBC World Lightweight Champion.” The signing marks a significant milestone for Matchroom, as Stevenson is the biggest American acquisition in the company’s history.

Eddie Hearn, Matchroom’s chairman, could hardly contain his excitement, calling Stevenson a “generational great.” He elaborated, “You’ve heard me say for years just how special this young man is, and that was even before signing him! I believe Shakur Stevenson is a generational great. 27 years old, three-division World champion, and he’s hardly out of first gear. Welcome to the team, Champ—let’s work!”

This deal brings to a close Stevenson’s month-long free agency, following an eight-year tenure with Top Rank Boxing. The split was anything but amicable. Despite his extraordinary talent, Stevenson felt sidelined at Top Rank, missing out on high-profile bouts and substantial paydays that his peers enjoyed. His frustration was particularly focused on his inability to secure a fight with Vasyl Lomachenko, a bout he had long coveted. As he watched contemporaries like Gervonta Davis, Devin Haney, and Ryan García eclipse him in notoriety and earnings, Stevenson’s dissatisfaction grew.

For Matchroom, the acquisition of Stevenson represents more than just a new signing—it’s a potential turning point for their American operations. Since launching in the U.S. in 2018, Matchroom has struggled to maintain a foothold despite several high-profile signings, including Daniel Jacobs, Demetrius Andrade, and Tevin Farmer. None of these ventures fully realized the potential Hearn had envisioned.

Stevenson’s arrival changes the narrative. Known for his controversial and attention-grabbing persona, Stevenson had been Top Rank’s most consistent television draw since Terence Crawford’s departure. Now, he brings that star power to Matchroom and DAZN, a platform that has faced its own challenges in breaking into the American market.

Top Rank had hoped to retain Stevenson, offering a lucrative multi-fight deal with a significant increase in guaranteed money. However, Stevenson opted to explore free agency, drawing interest from various suitors, including Floyd Mayweather’s Mayweather Promotions, Al Haymon’s PBC, and Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions. Ultimately, it was Eddie Hearn who secured the prized signature.

Stevenson’s debut under the Matchroom banner is scheduled for October 12, where he will serve as the co-feature on the Riyadh Season card headlined by the undisputed light heavyweight clash between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol. Stevenson will defend his WBC title against Joe Cordina, who is moving up in weight after a knockout loss to Anthony Cacace.

Looking ahead, Hearn has ambitious plans for Stevenson. After the Cordina bout, Stevenson is expected to face his mandatory challenger, William Zepeda, or the relatively unknown contender, Mark Chamberlain. However, the ultimate goal is to secure a blockbuster showdown with Gervonta “Tank” Davis, one of boxing’s biggest stars and Stevenson’s biggest rival.