Shakur Stevenson says Zuffa Boxing granted his release over the weekend, ending his three-month stay without a fight. The unbeaten four-division champion plans to start his own promotional company and pursue opponents at lightweight and light welterweight.
Stevenson announced the split in a video posted on his YouTube channel and shared on X. He described spending eight weeks in camp preparing for fights that never materialized.
“I requested to be released from Zuffa Boxing. Now over the weekend, my request has been granted, and now I am officially a free agent,” Stevenson said.
The 29-year-old signed with the Dana White-led company in July. He hasn’t fought since defeating Teofimo Lopez on January 31 at Madison Square Garden to win the WBO and Ring light welterweight titles.
Negotiations for a Devin Haney fight failed to produce an agreement amid disagreements over weight and rehydration conditions. Talks involving WBA light welterweight champion Gary Antuanne Russell also failed to produce a fight.
Stevenson insisted he wasn’t looking to blame anyone for his inactivity.
“This is the business of boxing. I’m not mad at anyone. I’m not pointing no fingers.”
Nevertheless, leaving so soon after signing shows how quickly his plans with Zuffa unraveled. The company secured a prominent unbeaten champion, but the relationship ended before he appeared on one of its cards. Zuffa declined immediate comment to The Ring.
Stevenson now wants control over how his next fights are arranged.
“I am now taking my career in my own hands and I’m starting my own promotional company,” he said.
He added that he is willing to work with other promoters and networks, opening the possibility of partnerships rather than another exclusive promotional deal.
That still leaves the task of finding an opponent and agreeing on the money. Promoting himself gives Shakur more control, but he will need financial backing to deliver the biggest fights he wants.
His immediate plans also leave little room for a welterweight fight with Haney. Stevenson named 135 and 140 pounds as his preferred divisions and put a move to 147 further away.
“Give it maybe a year or two, we will get to 147 where everybody is pressing me to just be a 147-pounder,” Stevenson said. “I will get there, but on my term and not on nobody else’s.”
After nearly nine months without a fight, Shakur’s next move needs to produce a date. His Zuffa signing brought attention in July. His departure brings another announcement in October, with his return to the ring still unresolved.
