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Zuffa Boxing Makes Shakur Stevenson Official, Hours After PBC Joins DAZN

Stevenson said the deal lets him chase marquee bouts and skip the belt chase, with Dana White calling the signing a major addition.

  • On Thursday, four-division world champion Shakur Stevenson signed a multi-fight deal with Zuffa Boxing, a new promotion led by UFC CEO Dana White and backed by Saudi Arabian interests.
  • The undefeated 29-year-old, boasting a 25-0 record with 11 knockouts, chose the promotion to bypass traditional sanctioning bodies and secure marquee matchups without business obstacles.
  • Stevenson rejected Hall of Fame analyst Shannon Sharpe's criticism of his style as "ignorant," emphasizing he prioritizes "the biggest fights in the sport" over collecting belts.
  • With Zuffa planning its own championship structure, Stevenson targets high-profile bouts, including a potential clash with 147-pound titleholder Devin Haney, viewing the arrangement as a "partnership."
  • Stevenson anticipates his signing will encourage other elite fighters to follow his lead, crediting Chairman Turki Alalshikh of the Saudi Arabia General Entertainment Authority for facilitating cross-promotional opportunities.
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Hire your promoter and competition Zuffa Boxing to Shakur Stevenson

·Barcelona, Spain
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For Shakur Stevenson, this decision represents an opportunity to define his sporting status in the face of opposition from higher divisions

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ESPN broke the news in United States on Thursday, July 9, 2026.
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