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Eddie Hearn, not Zuffa, Reveals Shakur Stevenson Signing at Zuffa

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Shakur Stevenson signed a contract with Zuffa Boxing, and the confirmation came not from the promotion, but from a rival. Matchroom chairman Eddie Hearn, who promoted Stevenson during his January victory over Teofimo Lopez, told reporters on Monday that the junior welterweight champion had joined the company backed by TKO-backed Dana White. Hearn broke the news at his own press conference for Anthony Joshua at Matchroom, ahead of any announcement from Zuffa himself.

“Shakur signed with Zuffa, so that will be his continued development,” Hearn told Fight Hub TV. The move isn’t official yet, according to BoxingScene, though two people familiar with the talks described an announcement as imminent. Zuffa tends to confirm larger transfers at its own events, which leaves Hearn as the public source of information about the deal for now.

The signing of the agreement has been talked about for weeks. Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated was first reported in early May that Stevenson was finalizing terms after leaving Top Rank, and White hinted at this at the Zuffa Boxing 06 press conference on May 10, replying “No? Probably” when asked if the promotion had announced him.

Stevenson (28) has a record of 25-0, 11 knockouts and is the holder of the WBO and The Ring junior welterweight titles won on January 31 at Madison Square Garden by decision over Lopez. He is a world champion in four weight categories.

Hearn praised the player but questioned the motives behind the move. He said Zuffa pays its fighters roughly five times the rest of the market and asked who the promotion would match Stevenson with, raising the prospect of receiving $15 million to fight with O’Shaquie Foster as an example. He called this approach unsustainable and predicted it would not be sustainable. The $15 million figure represents the amount Conor Benn was reported to have earned for a single fight with Zuffa in February before he signed a multi-fight extension.

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Boxing

Joshua to Fury: Fight alone with Moses Itauma

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Image: Joshua To Fury: Fight Moses Itauma Yourself

Anthony Joshua believes Tyson Fury should consider fighting Moses Itauma if he is stern about the advice he previously gave him.

Fury recently suggested that Joshua should fight an undefeated heavyweight prospect as Joshua searched for an opponent for his July 25 return. Joshua instead agreed to face Kristian Prenga in Saudi Arabia while Fury is still looking for an opponent for his planned August return.


Joshua turned Fury’s recommendation back against him.

“Is he fighting Itauma? He told me when I was looking for an opponent… fight Itauma. So I think that would be the perfect name,” Johua said to talkSPORT Boxing.

“They’re all on the same promotion. So if Fury is who he says he is, maybe he should step forward. And Frank.” [Warren] he should put his player forward instead of worrying about what I’m doing.”

Joshua commented on this while discussing Fury’s search for an opponent. The former heavyweight champion has long been linked with a fight with Fury, and the two men are expected to meet later this year if they win their rematches.

Itauma (13-0, 11 KO) has quickly become one of the most talked about teenage heavyweights in boxing. The 21-year-old stopped Dillian Whyte in the first round, then in his last appearance he stopped Jermaine Franklin in the fifth round.

Frank Warren has indicated that Itaum’s return is expected to take place on August 8, with Filip Hrgovic among the names reportedly considered a potential opponent.

It is unclear whether Fury is interested in fighting Itauma. However, Joshua’s response made one thing clear: If Fury believes Itauma is the right test for other heavyweights, Joshua believes he should be willing to take on the challenge himself.

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Categories Anthony Joshua, Moses Itauma and Tyson Fury

Last update: 2026/06/05 at 16:03

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Deontay Wilder focuses on next opponent: “We will make it happen”

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Deontay Wilder zeroes in on next opponent: “We’re gonna make it happen”

Deontay Wilder appears to be in talks for his next appearance, which may include negotiations with Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn.

The former WBC heavyweight champion scored a split decision victory over Derek Chisora ​​in April, scoring two knockouts in a mostly close 12-round fight.

Previously, Wilder claimed that approx seventh-round finish over Tyrrell Herndon after consecutive defeats to Zhilei Zhang and Joseph Parker.

Chisora’s triumph therefore came at a critical moment, although many remain convinced that the 40-year-old should implement his retirement plan.

An imminent departure from the sport, however, seems increasingly unlikely as the ‘Bronze Bomber’ is currently considering a possible rematch with fellow veteran Chisora.

Unlike Wilder, Chisora ​​promised that their first meeting would be his last fight, believing that his 50th professional fight would be a suitable event from which he would retire.

However, the way their clash ended inspired the 42-year-old to demand an immediate rematch, hoping for a more favorable outcome next time.

I’m talking to Daily mail boxChisora ​​managed to get a response from Wilder via FaceTime, and the American expressed interest in withdrawing him.

“Hell yes. We’ll make it happen.”

Chisora ​​added that he intended to speak to Hearn, suggesting he was a free agent with the promotion and wanted to strike a deal with the Matchroom boss.

However, although he verbally agreed to a rematch, there is of course no guarantee that Wilder will ultimately put pen to paper.

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Elijah Holyfield wins his WWE Evolve debut with an Uppercut Finisher

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Elijah Holyfield, son of former undisputed heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield, won his first WWE Evolve match on June 3, defeating Kai Kavari in the company’s developmental program.

According to material published by Bleacher ReportHolyfield ended the fight with a right hand and pinned Kavari. WWE calls the finisher “The Uppercut”, a move modeled after his father’s boxing. Pro Wrestling Dot Net reported that the fight lasted 1 minute and 14 seconds.

According to SEScoops, Holyfield went through a series of Stinger Splashes and Spinebusters before delivering the final blow.

His father, a former cruiserweight and heavyweight world champion and member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame, built much of his ring identity on body striking and combination work during a career spanning the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s.

From the NFL to the ring

Holyfield’s path to WWE didn’t go through boxing. He played running back at the University of Georgia and signed with the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent in 2019 and later spent time with the Philadelphia Eagles and Cincinnati Bengals. He appeared in one regular-season NFL game during the 2020 season.

A 2022 knee injury he suffered while on the Bengals’ roster ended his football career and redirected him toward wrestling.

WWE path

Holyfield signed a WWE developmental contract in November 2024. He competed in the first season of the WWE reality show LFG (Legends and Future Greats), where he mentored The Undertaker and earned a contract that placed him on the Evolve brand.

His ring debut was delayed due to injury. According to multiple wrestling outlets, he suffered a torn bicep in delayed 2025 and required surgery. He is 27 years ancient.

The June 3 episode of Evolve was taped at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida and streamed on Tubi in the United States.

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