Shakur Stevenson won an Olympic silver medal at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio De Janeiro, and eight months later he made his professional debut for Top Rank.
Bob Arum, founder and CEO of Top Rank, signed Stevenson when he was 19, the only promoter the champion has ever worked with. Seven years later, their relationship is sure to change after Stevenson successfully defends his WBC lightweight title on Saturday against Artem Harutyunyan.
Stevenson (22-0, 10 KOs) dominated — he was a -3,500 favorite, according to ESPN BET — but he couldn’t secure the thrilling victory he wanted. Boos rang out at the end of the fight as Stevenson cruised to a unanimous decision victory over an underdog for the second straight time. This time, the boos came from his hometown fans at the Prudential Center in Newark, Up-to-date Jersey.
Stevenson, 27, said the taunts were aimed at Harutyunyan (12-2, 7 KOs) because he “didn’t really try to fight.” And while it’s true that neither Harutyunyan nor Edwin De Los Santos — Stevenson’s last opponent in November — pressed the action, the onus was on the immensely talented Stevenson to find a way to finish his opponent.
Now Stevenson will have to test his free agent position after a lackluster win that was not at all the performance he had hoped for.
Stevenson turned down a five-fight contract extension with Top Rank, sources told ESPN, because it would have guaranteed the boxer $3 million per fight.
He could sign with a rival promoter — PBC, Matchroom, Golden Boy, etc. — or remain a free agent and enjoy the flexibility offered by fighters like Devin Haney and his mentor, Terence Crawford.
“Honestly, I want to start my own promotional company and just work with promoters and do a lot of short-term stuff so I’m not locked in and tied to someone,” Stevenson told ESPN on June 30.
Stevenson lamented not getting the KO, and while he blamed Harutyunyan, he also looked inward. The champion said he needed to improve his ability to cut off the ring.
Outside the ring, Stevenson will be navigating uncharted waters. Eddie Hearn, the chairman of Matchroom Sport, has publicly expressed interest in a deal with Stevenson. There are sure to be plenty of other promoters who will also be after Stevenson. He is, after all, an undefeated champion, ranked No. 8 by ESPN pound-for-pound.
It looks like Stevenson is ready for a change.
Before Saturday’s fight, Stevenson felt Top Rank had not done enough to promote his fight with Harutyunyan because he declined a contract extension.
“I just feel like they want me to promote the fight and do the things that do the job that they’re supposed to do,” Stevenson said. “… I just feel like I’m not part of the promotional team anymore. … I just wish that at the end of my contract, if we were to start working, it would be better than this.
“I feel like they promoted me well until the end of my contract, until the moment my contract was about to end. And then everything started to drift and change.”
Still, Stevenson wasn’t ready to close the door on a reunion with Top Rank.
“Shakur Stevenson’s contract situation did not in any way impact Top Rank’s promotional efforts for his fight with Artem Harutyunyan,” Top Rank spokesman Evan Korn told ESPN. “Shakur is an incredibly talented fighter, and the passionate crowd at the Prudential Center was a testament to the efforts of both parties.”
Regardless, Stevenson knew he needed a mighty performance on Saturday, especially after a lackluster win over De Los Santos.
Stevenson defeated De Los Santos by scores of 115-113, 116-112, and 116-112, with boos echoing throughout the fight. Stevenson and De Los Santos failed to land double-digit punches in any of the 12 rounds.
Instead of returning to the ring sooner and putting his impoverished performance behind him, Stevenson waited eight months to fight Harutyunyan.
“I asked Top Rank, ‘Can I come back early?’ I had one more fight on my contract. And with everything with Top Rank, they wouldn’t let me do that,” Stevenson said. “They made sure I got pushed back to June, July. June was the original date they gave me. And then, somehow, it ended up being July. … I said, ‘Can I come back in March?’ Honestly, I wanted to come back right away … but they made me wait so long.
“I think I’m the best player on the roster and I didn’t take the offer they wanted, so I feel like they wanted to move me as far away as possible.”
Stevenson should have no one else to blame soon. As a promotional free agent, Stevenson will be calling the shots as he fights for the fight that has eluded him. ESPN’s top two fighters at Stevenson’s 135-pound weight, Gervonta “Tank” Davis and Vasiliy Lomachenko, are in negotiations to fight each other this fall.
Lomachenko is also promoted by Top Rank, and Stevenson pushed for the fight but it never happened. Davis, one of boxing’s biggest stars, is with PBC.
Stevenson said he would explore a move up to 140 pounds “for the money fights” and mentioned Mexican Isaac Cruz, a champion who is building a gigantic fan base. He’s with PBC.
There’s also Ryan Garcia, Devin Haney and Teofimo Lopez. Lopez, who Top Rank promotes, is the 140-pound champion. Garcia is suspended until April 2025 and has said he won’t make 140. Haney could end up at 140, too.
Stevenson’s most appetizing, viable option may be Mexico’s William Zepeda, who put on another thrilling performance Saturday night, knocking out Giovanni Cabrera in the third round. Zepeda, a Golden Boy boxer, is one step away from a title shot.
“I haven’t spoken to Shakur,” Golden Boy Promotions founder and head promoter Oscar De La Hoya said on DAZN before Zepeda’s win. “I love his style. I love that he’s a very talented fighter. There’s no doubt about it. … I just feel like William Zepeda can beat anyone. … William Zepeda and Shakur Stevenson is a fight that people would like to see. … I’d like to work with Shakur Stevenson.”
Stevenson, meanwhile, has already won titles in three divisions. So what’s missing? Megafights, and now he won’t be burdened by boxing’s promotional politics as he seeks them out.
“I mean, I definitely don’t want to close the door, but I think [Top Rank is] more ready to close the door than I am,” Stevenson said. “So honestly, if they’re saying f— to me, they are. That’s how I feel.”
In a clash of forces between two world title contenders, NABO welterweight titleholder Alexis “Lex” Rocha (25-2-0, 16 KO) will put his skills to the test against undefeated knockout and NABF welterweight titleholder Raul “El Cugar “. Curiel (15-0, 13 KO).
The 10-round main event will take place on Saturday, December 14, live from the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California, and will be broadcast worldwide on DAZN.
“‘The best versus the best’ is Golden Boy’s mantra and that’s what fans will see as Rocha and Curiel take on everything that’s on the table,” said President and CEO Oscar De La Hoya. “Rocha is a veteran whose goal is to win the world title, Curiel is an undefeated blue-chip prospect with huge potential. It’s really a 50/50 fight and I’m looking forward to it.”
Tickets for the Rocha vs. match Curiel will go on sale on Friday, October 11 at 10 a.m. PT and will be priced at $100, $75, $50 and $25, excluding applicable service fees. A confined number of Golden Boy VIP Experience tickets will also be available, including exclusive merchandise and fight night upgrades. Standard and VIP tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com, Toyota-arena.com, Goldenboy.com or at the Toyota Arena box office from Monday to Friday from 12:00 to 16:00
“I’ve seen Raul Curiel all these years and he never once mentioned my name,” Alexis Rocha said. “After my last defeat, he suddenly became interested in fighting me. If he thinks I’ve lost a step or somehow had an simple fight, he’s in for a rude awakening. I can’t wait to make a statement and show the world what I’m capable of.”
Santa Ana, California Rep. Alexis “Lex” Rocha comes from a struggling family. The younger brother of Ronny Rios, he was the youngest fighter to win a gold medal at the Junior Olympics at the age of 14 in 2012 and caught the attention of the boxing world by becoming a six-time national champion during his amateur career. Rocha signed with Golden Boy in January 2016 and made his professional debut in March 2016, defeating Jordan Rosario at the Belasco Theater in Los Angeles. Since then, he has amassed an enviable record of powerful knockouts over top contenders and plans to return to world title contention, with his last fight being a victory over undefeated Santiago Dominguez on July 19 last year.
“The fans can expect a war,” said Raul Curiel. “I’m going to prepare well to put on a great show. This will be the most essential fight of my career so far. I know Alexis is a great fighter, a good opponent and will also show up prepared. My focus is on Alexis and if I can beat him, I know it will give me a chance to fight for the world championship.
Former unified lightweight champion George Kambosos approached promoter Eddie Hearn asking for more massive fights.
Kambosos has signed a co-promotional deal with Eddie Hearn, under which the Greek-Australian slugger will continue his association with DiBella Entertainment Inc. and his own company, Ferocious Promotions.
The 21-3 star will move up to the super lightweight division of Matchroom Boxing’s lively division. He aims to become a two-weight world champion in early 2025, and as part of the deal, a title fight is promised as long as he continues to win.
Since his stunning victory over Teofimo Lopez, Kambosos has never shied away from competing against the best. Those three losses on his resume came to Devin Haney [twice] and Vasily Lomachenko, all at home and all for world titles.
The 31-year-old is now set to face compatriot Liam Paro after defending his IBF title against Richardson Hitchins in December in Puerto Rico.
“I am thrilled to be working with Matchroom Boxing. I am excited to have signed a three-way promotional cooperation agreement with my long-time promoter DiBella Entertainment Inc. and Ferocious Promotions,” Kambosos said.
“I made great success and history when I moved up the Matchroom shows by winning my UK elimination fight against Lee Selby. The most noteworthy and unforgettable is my victory against Teofimo at Madison Square Garden in Up-to-date York to become the 135-pound world champion.
“I am officially announcing that I will be moving up to 140 pounds and signing with Matchroom will ensure my continued success and the legacy I want to leave in the sport of boxing.”
Hearn, who adds an experienced campaigner to his stable, added: “I am delighted to welcome George to the team. George’s victory over Teofimo tore up the script and showed that George was the man for the massive time. He has proven to be a huge attraction in Australia and one of the real driving forces behind the rapid growth of boxing Down Under.
“The 140-pound division is full of massive names and massive potential fights. Adding George to the mix only elevates the level, and a possible fight with Liam Paro is a truly appetizing prospect. If Liam manages to win in a great fight against Richardson on December 7th [the fight could be on].
Lou DiBella, who has worked with Kambosos for years, said: “I’m glad I was able to make a deal with my antique buddy Eddie to work with George Kambosos Jr. and Ferocious Promotions.
“Throughout his career, George has been a fighter who has never shied away from a challenge, and now he wants to test himself against top junior welterweights.
Matchroom works with top 140-pounders, including George’s compatriot Liam Paro, and, like DiBella Entertainment, is heavily invested in Australia.
“It’s a natural partnership,” added the Up-to-date Yorker.
One of the hottest topics surrounding Mike Tyson’s return at the age of 58 was the possibility of the boxing legend scoring a knockout of Jake Paul.
WBN has weighed in on this topic several times, questioning the validity of five-second training clips that revealed nothing about Tyson’s abilities at this overdue age. One of the most intriguing observations during the preparations was the opinion of UFC commentator Daniel Cormier.
Speaking on his show “Funky and the Champ,” Cormier reflected on Tyson’s social media videos and offered an informed opinion on the meaning of the clips.
“I understand that [he is in amazing shape at 58]and I understand what he is saying [he feels as though he can compete]– Cormier said. “And I agree that when he hits the pads with Rafael Cordeiro, it looks like there’s still something left in him.
“But then I watch Jake Paul fight Mike Perry. I saw Jake Paul get overwhelmed to the point where he started to feel uncomfortable. It looked like Mike Perry had a chance. But Jake has a reserve tank he can go to and benefit from because he’s 28 years ancient. Then he comes back and finally finishes Mike Perry.
“At the beginning of the fight, Mike Perry gets beaten up and dropped. He looks trained and unmatched. This worries me because what if it looks like a 58-year-old man fighting a 28-year-old man while Mike can’t employ the backup tank to stay and compete with this newborn kid? I think it’s a failure for Jake Paul because if you beat Mike Tyson, everyone will love him.
He added: “What if Mike knocks him out? It’s over. Everything is ready. This would be the backfire of all time. If he gets knocked out, nothing like that has ever happened in the history of the sport.”
Unfortunately for Tyson, this revenge backfired spectacularly, as the former heavyweight champion’s return was the only event that bombed. Tyson had nothing left twenty years after he had nothing left in his tank and no desire to box in his mind.
Paul parlayed this into a money-making scheme that would forever be a success for him and his company, but would be poorly received by the die-hard boxing fraternity.
Cormier’s words resonate, especially after what happened in the ring when Mike Tyson struggled to shift into first gear, warning former fighters thinking about returning after 50.
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