Dana White’s promotion lands the WBO light welterweight champion as it builds momentum before its July 26 event at Madison Square Garden
Zuffa Boxing has officially signed Shakur Stevenson, adding one of boxing’s premier champions to its rapidly expanding roster. The move gives Dana White’s promotion another marquee name as it prepares to launch its first major events.
The promotion confirmed the deal on social media with a promotional poster and a brief message.
“Ink = Dry ✍️
Let’s get it, @ShakurStevenson.”
The announcement ends speculation about Stevenson’s future after months of discussion over whether he would become one of the centerpiece fighters in Dana White’s new boxing venture.
Shakur (25-0, 11 KOs), an Olympic silver medalist and current world champion at super lightweight, is regarded as one of the sport’s most technically gifted fighters. His addition gives Zuffa another established titleholder as the company prepares to launch its first major events.
“Line them up, one by one, and I’ll beat all the top guys once I get them in front of me,” said Stevenson. “With Zuffa Boxing, I’m going to go after the biggest fights in the sport and I will become the number one pound-for-pound fighter in the world.”
“Shakur is one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world,” said UFC President and CEO Dana White. “He’s 29 years old, undefeated and already a four-division world champion. This is a massive signing for Zuffa Boxing, and I’m looking forward to promoting this next fight.”
The signing comes less than three weeks before Zuffa Boxing 09, scheduled for July 26 at Madison Square Garden in New York. The card is headlined by Richardson Hitchins defending his IBF junior welterweight title against Eduardo Salas, while Edgar Berlanga faces Butler in the co-feature. The event will stream live on Paramount+.
Financial terms of Shakur’s agreement were not disclosed. Fans responding to the announcement immediately speculated about the size of the deal and which opponents could eventually be matched against him under the Zuffa banner.
Shakur’s signing is another significant step in Zuffa Boxing’s effort to assemble a roster capable of competing with boxing’s established promoters. While his first fight under the new promotional banner has not yet been announced, his arrival immediately strengthens the company’s stable ahead of its July 26 showcase in New York.