Zuffa Boxing are edging toward a deal with one of the best boxers in the entire sport, Shakur Stevenson, according to a Sports Illustrated newsletter.
The upstart fight firm, a long-running concept that only organized its first event early this year, has made waves not just from the consistency of its roll-out but for the talent it has added to its roster, including, but not limited to, Jai Opetaia, Jose Valenzuela, and Conor Benn.
It was the Benn signing in particular that sent shockwaves through the industry. Previously, Benn was aligned with Matchroom, and the company chairman, Eddie Hearn, was a staunch advocate of Benn during a low-point in the British slugger’s career when he tested positive for a banned substance.
This risked reputational damage on Hearn, specifically, but, regardless, when Zuffa came knocking with a $15 million, one-fight deal, Benn answered. He out-pointed Regis Prograis on a lackluster debut and recommitted to Zuffa for a 2.5-year, 5-fight contract extension.
Zuffa’s roster is substantial but lacks legitimate star power outside of Benn and Opetaia.
Stevenson, though, as reported by Sports Illustrated, is getting close to signing, too, it reported.
“140-pound titleholder, Shakur Stevenson, is finalizing a deal with Zuffa,” SI reporter, Chris Mannix, said. “Stevenson set to join Conor Benn as the most high profile names in the Zuffa stable.”
The alliance makes sense considering Terence Crawford has trained at the UFC Performance Institute, he used the Apex for a press event prior to his all-time great welterweight thrashing of Errol Spence Jr., and ‘Bud’s’ fight vs Canelo had Dana White’s involvement.
Crawford, also, is a mentor for Stevenson.
