An innocuous remark has seemingly opened a Pandora’s box of behind-the-scenes drama. Recent reports suggest that a potential bout between Shakur Stevenson and William Zepeda has unraveled due to financial disagreements. The two lightweights, Stevenson, the reigning WBC champion, and Zepeda, the interim titleholder, reportedly had a fight scheduled in February. But following reports of Zepeda suffering a hand injury, the matchup caved in.
Now, another attempt to finalize the long-anticipated fight appears to have hit a wall. As is often the case in boxing, the story quickly turned into a back-and-forth of claims and counterclaims. Oscar De La Hoya fired the first salvo. But Stevenson didn’t hold back with his response and revealed details that must have caught many by surprise. Stevenson, who last fought late replacement Josh Padley on ‘The Last Crescendo’ card in Saudi Arabia, has been surrounded by chatter about future opponents, including a potential mega-fight with Gervonta Davis.
Oscar De La Hoya takes a shot; Shakur Stevenson fires back
The current controversy began with De La Hoya tweeting, “After all the sh*t talking, @ShakurStevenson pulls out of Zepeda fight.” Implying the Golden Boy promoter didn’t have the full story, Stevenson laughed off the jab. “ Is that what they told you??” Stevenson wrote. According to Stevenson, he walked away because Turki Alalshikh didn’t follow through on a financial agreement. “Turki promised me a number, and now he going way back on that number that he promised me and sending his Towel boys to run me the info instead telling me straight up what he tryna do,” said the lightweight champion.
is that what they told you?? Turki promised me a number and now he going way back on that number that he promised me and sending his Towel boys to run me the info instead telling me straight up what he tryna do.. Ion bow down to nobody Mr De la Hoya now let’s negotiate! https://t.co/S33oy0Cefy
— Shakur Stevenson (@ShakurStevenson) April 5, 2025
While Stevenson emphasized he’s not one to bow down, he left the door open for continued negotiations. Though unconfirmed, another report suggested, “It has been revealed @Turki_alalshikh was only willing to pay less than $500,000 (before taxes) for @ShakurStevenson to face his WBC mandatory William Zepeda.” It suggests that Turki, who’s been bankrolling big-money cards in Saudi Arabia, doesn’t believe Shakur can draw a crowd or pay-per-view buys.
That report marks a sharp turn from Stevenson’s debut in Riyadh just over a month ago. But if these rumblings are true, it suggests the power dynamics have already begun to shift—and not in Stevenson’s favor.
From mandate to mayhem: will Stevenson vs. Zepeda happen?
Subsequently defending his stance, Shakur Stevenson revealed that he wants the Zepeda fight badly. He knows he’d dominate it. But he’s being unfairly underpaid, even less than what he earned against a lower-tier opponent, like Josh Padley because promoters know how much he wants it.
Oh yeah and I’m not done negotiating cause one thing bout it I’m the champ, So whether the fight gets done wit these people or not I’m stepping on dude but the fight will be made next!!!!
— Shakur Stevenson (@ShakurStevenson) April 5, 2025
Despite the complications, Stevenson is confident the fight will happen next. “Oh yeah, and I’m not done negotiating cause one thing bout it I’m the champ, so whether the fight gets done wit these people or not, I’m stepping on, dude, but the fight will be made next!!!!” he said in another tweet.
This situation highlights the murky waters fighters navigate behind closed doors, balancing legacy with financial worth. With Zepeda still listed as Stevenson’s WBC mandatory, fans remain hopeful the clash will materialize sooner rather than later.
What do you think? Has Shakur Stevenson earned the star power to command bigger paydays, or is he pricing himself out of crucial fights?
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