Zuffa Boxing has announced the signing of WBO super lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson.
The undefeated American joins the promotion backed by UFC CEO Dana White and Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh on a multi-fight, multi-year deal.
Stevenson became a four-weight world champion last time out at New York’s Madison Square Garden with a masterclass to dethrone Teofimo Lopez of his 140lbs world title.
And he is very confident about cementing his status in the sweet science with his new promotion.
Stevenson vows to become boxing’s best
“Line them up, one by one, and I’ll beat all the top guys once I get them in front of me,” Stevenson, who hails from Newark, New Jersey, and is 25-0 in his professional career, said.
“With Zuffa Boxing, I’m going to go after the biggest fights in the sport.
“I will become the number one pound-for-pound fighter in the world.”
White, who has also been linked to signing Oleksandr Usyk, added: “Shakur is one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world.
“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.”
Stevenson is by far the biggest name to join Zuffa Boxing’s roster so far, with the likes of Conor Benn, Jai Opetaia and Edgar Berlanga all linking up with the promotion in the last 12 months.
The news of his addition comes just weeks after a potential mouthwatering clash against Devin Haney hit a stumbling block.
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WBO welterweight champion Haney has been ordered to face his mandatory at 147lbs Keyshawn Davis, having previously made a verbal agreement on social media to meet Stevenson at a 144lbs catchweight.
Reports suggest Haney may decide to vacate his belt to face Stevenson next.
Stevenson, meanwhile, has also been linked to a fight against WBC welterweight titleholder Ryan Garcia.
The 2016 Olympic silver medallist might, however, find himself up against 140lbs contenders already signed to Zuffa Boxing, including Emiliano Vargas and Oscar Duarte.
In total, the 29-year-old star has won gold at featherweight, super featherweight, lightweight and super lightweight.
According to Zuffa Boxing, more information on Stevenson’s debut will be announced in the coming weeks.
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Boxing schedule
For all the upcoming fights and results this year, check out talkSPORT.com’s boxing schedule.
Asked on SportsCenter Thursday why he decided to join Zuffa Boxing, Stevenson said: “Because I get a fresh start.
“My vision is big, and like Dana has mentioned, he wants to make the biggest and best fights possible.
“That’s what I’ve been in [boxing] my whole life for. I want to show the world that I am the best in the world.”
Stevenson added that his ‘main focus’ is a fight against Haney or Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis, who has also been tied to a blockbuster with Haney but won’t be able to compete until the first quarter of 2027.
“Those are fights we like too,” White said.
The promotion’s next event, Zuffa Boxing 9, is headlined by a super middleweight clash between Berlanga and Steven Butler at Infosys Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York on July 26.
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