The WBO light welterweight champion says he expects elite fighters to follow his lead after signing with Dana White’s new promotion
Shakur Stevenson believes he will become the benchmark for Zuffa Boxing after signing with Dana White’s new promotion. The WBO light welterweight champion expects his arrival to attract more elite fighters and help shape the company’s future.
“I see it as me setting an example,” Stevenson told Ring Magazine. “I feel like I’m the best fighter on their roster, as I told them when I seen them.”
Shakur said he believes his arrival is only the beginning of something much bigger for the company.
“It’s going to be a lot of big things with this. I feel like it’s going to be setting their example, and a lot of people going to follow my lead. I’m going to enjoy that. Trendsetter, baby,” said Stevenson.
The undefeated WBO light welterweight champion said his decision came after his management team, Jay Prince and Josh Dubin, secured what he considered the best available deal.
“My team went out there and they found the best available deal for me,” Shakur said. “We here to conquer and make sure that we take over the game.”
Shakur also described meeting Dana White and Turki Alalshikh as a positive experience, saying both men gave him “genuine vibes” and calling the agreement “life-changing.”
Stevenson’s signing adds to a growing Zuffa Boxing roster that includes Jai Opetaia, Richardson Hitchins, Edgar Berlanga, Conor Benn, Jose “Rayo” Valenzuela, Serhii Bohachuk, Radzhab Butaev, Oleksandr Gvozdyk, Efe Ajagba and Charles Martin, along with highly regarded prospect Callum Walsh. Stevenson believes he is the promotion’s best fighter and expects other elite boxers to eventually join him.