If you’re a boxing fan, the name Shakur Stevenson has likely been buzzing in your ears lately. The WBC lightweight champion finds himself at the center of a storm, with canceled fights, promoter disputes, and social media jabs keeping him in the spotlight. As of April 7, 2025, Stevenson’s journey is anything but dull—packed with tension, ambition, and a fierce desire to prove himself in the ring. Let’s dive into the latest twists and turns of his career and see what’s next for this undefeated star.
Shakur Stevenson vs. The Fight That Wasn’t
Picture this: a unification bout between two unbeaten lightweight titans, Shakur Stevenson and William Zepeda, set to electrify the boxing world. Fans were hyped, analysts were buzzing, and then—poof—it vanished. Stevenson recently pointed the finger at Saudi promoter Turki Alalshikh, claiming the bigwig promised a hefty purse only to slash it by $2 million. Frustrated by what he calls poor communication, Stevenson didn’t mince words, saying Alalshikh sent “towel boys” to relay the news instead of facing him directly. The champ’s not backing down, though—he’s now eyeing direct talks with Zepeda’s promoter, Oscar De La Hoya, to make this fight happen on his terms.
This isn’t just about money for Stevenson; it’s personal. He’s called Zepeda a “mismatch” and insists he’s ready to step into the ring and shut down the doubters. But the drama doesn’t stop there. De La Hoya fired shots on X, accusing Stevenson of pulling out after “all the shit talking.” Ouch. That stung, and it lit a fire under Stevenson to respond—more on that in a bit.
Shakur Stevenson: A Gentle Jab Back at De La Hoya
Now, you’d expect a fiery clapback from a guy like Stevenson, right? Instead, he surprised us. When De La Hoya posted his provocative jab about the fight cancellation, Stevenson reacted with a mix of humor and defiance. “ is that what they told you?? Turki promised me a number and now he going way back on that number,” he wrote on X, tossing in some laughing emojis for good measure. He didn’t just stop at calling out Alalshikh—he invited De La Hoya to the negotiating table with a cool, “Ion bow down to nobody Mr De la Hoya now let’s negotiate!”
That response? Pure class with a side of grit. Stevenson’s showing he’s not here to play games, but he’s keeping it smooth. It’s a move that keeps fans hooked—will he and De La Hoya hash it out and get Zepeda in the ring? Or will this saga drag on? Either way, Stevenson’s proving he’s got the charisma to match his skills.
What’s Next for the Lightweight King?
So, where does this leave Stevenson? The guy’s undefeated at 23-0, with 11 knockouts, and he’s not about to let a paycheck dispute derail his legacy. Here’s a quick rundown of the possibilities:
- Zepeda Showdown: Stevenson’s dead-set on fighting Zepeda next, whether Alalshikh’s in the picture or not. A purse bid could be the key if talks stall.
- Legacy Over Cash: Critics say he’s chasing “the bag” over glory, but Stevenson’s insistence on this fight suggests otherwise. He wants to prove he’s the best.
- Fan Buzz: Posts on X show fans split—some call him greedy, others cheer his stand against being shortchanged.
The clock’s ticking, and Stevenson’s got the boxing world watching. Will he step into the ring with Zepeda and cement his name among the greats? Or will behind-the-scenes drama steal the show? One thing’s for sure: Stevenson’s story is far from over, and I’m betting you’ll stick around to see how it unfolds.