Stevenson Leaves Zuffa Boxing Without Throwing a Punch

Shakur Stevenson says he has been released by Zuffa Boxing — the Saudi-backed promotion run by UFC owners TKO and Dana White — without ever fighting under its banner.

The unbeaten 29-year-old, a four-weight world champion with a perfect 25-0 record, announced the split on his YouTube channel: "I requested to be released from Zuffa Boxing. Over the weekend, my request has been granted." Zuffa has not commented.

A marriage that never started

Stevenson signed in July as one of Zuffa's headline recruits and was in talks to face WBO welterweight champion Devin Haney. Those negotiations broke down, leaving him frustrated after what he says was eight weeks in camp preparing for fights that never materialised.

"I've been preparing for fights that I was told was going to happen and have not happened," he said. "I'm not mad at anyone, I'm not pointing fingers. I am taking my career in my own hands."

He plans to launch his own promotional company while remaining open to working with other promoters — "anybody that's willing to be as serious about my career as I am."

What it means

The departure is a dent in Zuffa Boxing's early momentum. Its other marquee signing, Conor Benn, has fought twice for the promotion — the second a swift knockout loss to world champion Ryan Garcia last month.

Stevenson, who beat Teofimo Lopez last time out to claim a title in a fourth division, says his immediate plan is to defend his WBO light-welterweight crown before moving up to welterweight. As a free agent, every major promoter now knows the phone number.