Without even a fight in the promotion, Shakur Stevenson is leaving Zuffa Boxing.
Via his YouTube channel, Stevenson announced that he is leaving the promotion. “I requested to be released from Zuffa Boxing,” Stevenson said on his YT video. Zuffa Boxing obliged.
Stevenson said that he is starting his own promotional company and indicated that he’s willing to work with other promoters. He indicated that he is willing to take fights at 135 and 140 and will move up to 147 at some point.
Stevenson leaving is a bad look for Zuffa Boxing. While we do not know what fights he wanted, its clear that he could not get them with Dana. If that is Dana’s issue or an issue with other promoters its something that we’ll find out in the days and weeks to come. With Stevenson leaving, its bad optics for Zuffa Boxing. Dana White proclaimed in a CNBC interview in July of the relative ease Zuffa Boxing had in the industry. But with rumors that the Conor Benn-Ryan Garcia fight did not do well financially and a top signing conspicuously leaving without even fighting under the promotional banner, it has to raise concerns.
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