Shakur Stevenson signs two-fight deal with Matchroom

Eddie Hearn is at it again, making moves that could either make or break the career of one of boxing’s most polemic fighters, Shakur Stevenson. Hearn, the Matchroom Boxing promoter known for his knack for turning promising fighters into household names, has just inked a two-fight deal with Stevenson. On paper, it sounds like the perfect step toward stardom. But as always in boxing, the devil is in the details.

This deal has Shakur defending his WBC lightweight title against Joe Cordina, a solid but not earth-shattering name, and then potentially facing William Zepeda in early 2025. Zepeda, for those not in the know, is no easy mark. He’s a fighter with power in his hands and fire in his belly. The implication is clear: if Shakur doesn’t deliver in these two fights, this partnership with Matchroom could be very brief indeed.

Hearn is banking on Shakur’s potential, claiming that the Newark native is “massively undersold” and on the verge of becoming a global superstar. That’s the kind of hype you’d expect from a promoter with Hearn’s flair. But here’s the catch - Stevenson isn’t exactly the type to set American crowds on fire. His last outing against Edwin De Los Santos was a snoozer, with Shakur running more than fighting, leading to boos from a restless crowd. That’s not the stuff of superstardom, no matter how much talent you pack into your gloves.

The fact is, Hearn’s dream scenario is to have Shakur face Gervonta “Tank” Davis next summer. But let’s be real - if Shakur gets flattened by Zepeda or looks less than stellar against Cordina, that dream fight could evaporate faster than a mirage in the desert. The boxing world is fickle, and fans have a short memory when it comes to lackluster performances. A poor showing, and Shakur could find himself on the outside looking in, wondering where it all went wrong.

It’s not that Shakur lacks skills. In fact, he might be one of the most technically gifted fighters of his generation. His defense is tighter than Fort Knox, and his ability to control distance is something you don’t see every day. But in the eyes of many, that’s also his downfall. Boxing fans - especially in the U.S. - aren’t showing up to watch a glorified game of tag. They want action, drama, and maybe even a little blood. They want to see fighters who are willing to go toe-to-toe, to take risks, and to lay it all on the line. That’s not Shakur’s game, and it could cost him dearly.

Hearn’s strategy is clear: win these next two fights and build Shakur into a must-watch fighter. But history tells us that strategy might be flawed. Top Rank, Shakur’s previous promoter, tried the same thing. They pushed him hard, putting him in big fights, and even giving him the kind of media exposure that most fighters would kill for. But it never quite clicked. Shakur’s cautious style just didn’t resonate with the American audience the way it needed to.

To be fair, British fight fans might appreciate Shakur’s style more. They have a deeper appreciation for the art of defense and technical prowess in the ring. But for Hearn to sell Shakur as the next big thing in America, he’s got a mountain to climb. The U.S. boxing scene thrives on fighters like Gervonta Davis, who can light up a room with a single punch, or Canelo Alvarez, who mixes skill with aggression in a way that keeps fans glued to their seats.

So, what’s next for Shakur Stevenson? If he beats Cordina and Zepeda, maybe, just maybe, he’ll get his shot at Tank Davis, and the road to superstardom will be wide open. But if he falters, if he plays it safe and leaves fans wanting more, this two-fight deal could be his last dance with Matchroom. It’s all on the line now, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Only time will tell if Shakur is ready to step out of his defensive shell and embrace the spotlight - or if he’s destined to fade away, another “what if” in the world of boxing.