Former WBO 126lbs champion Shakur Stevenson will take his next step on the path to super-featherweight glory at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas, on December 12.
The New Jersey southpaw will step in to headline the Top Rank show after the previous main event fell through with WBC 130bs champion Miguel Berchelt returning a positive Covid-19 test, nixing his all-Mexican clash with No.1 contender Oscar Valdez.
Earlier in the week, the gifted Stevenson (14-0, 8 KOs) offered to face former world champion Valdez in the main event, but now the American will top the show against an opponent to be announced.
“I’m excited. I haven’t fought since June,” Stevenson told ESPN.com. “I’m just looking forward to getting back in the ring. I keep calling the big champions out, but nobody is really responding right now.
“So I’ll get back in the ring next month, then see what happens. I have no clue who I’m fighting or even who the options are, but I’m ready.”
The WBO No.1 contender at 130lb, Stevenson is aiming to face the winner of champion Jamel Herring’s January encounter with Belfast favourite Carl Frampton some time in Spring 2021. Berchelt-Valdez is now set to take place in the first quarter of 2021.