Promoter Eddie Hearn has confirmed that he has an agreement with His Excellency Turki Alalshikh for Matchroom fighter Shakur Stevenson to defend his WBC lightweight title against William Zepeda in early 2025 on February 22, provided that Zepeda win his next fight on November 16 and agree to the offer.
Zepeda (31-0, 27 KOs) faces Tevin Farmer on November 16 at Latino Night at The Venue in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Zepeda’s promoter, Oscar De La Hoya, wants the fight with Shakur (22-0, 10 KOs), as long as it’s in a “small ring” to prevent Stevenson from running. Farmer is not expected to give Zepeda any trouble in their fight.
In a small ring, there is a very real possibility that Zepeda will trap Shakur, injure him, and eliminate him. That leaves Hearn with one fight left on his two-fight contract with his Matchroom Boxing company. Hearn might not want to extend Shakur’s contract when it ends.
Shakur agreed to a small ring
Shakur agreed to this condition on social media, but we do not yet know if he will agree to the fight being placed in a 16-foot ring, which is the smallest allowed by the rules. Hon XShakur said this about accepting a small ring: “The size of the ring doesn’t matter to me.”
In a ring of that size, Shakur would not have escaped from Zepeda, and I would have to fight him. If Shakur doesn’t change his mind about fighting in a small ring, this fight will be fun for the fans. It will show if Stevenson can handle a volume puncher with power and a strong chin.
Shakur couldn’t use his peck-and-scat style. It will be physically impossible for Stevenson, 27, to escape Zepeda’s pressure in a small 16-foot boxing ring, which could end badly for him.
Stevenson will need to figure out how to deal with the 100-plus punches thrown per round by Zepeda, because movement and throwing single punches won’t hold him back.
Zepeda: Dangerous fight for Shakur
“It was ordered by the WBC. Obviously, we have an agreement with His Excellency for the Shakur fight against Zepeda, as long as Zepeda takes it, as long as everything is in order. I believe you will see that fight in Riyadh,” he said Eddie Hearn Boxing news about a potential fight between WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson and #1 contender William Zepeda for February 22, 2025.
“Shakur said, ‘Straight into that fight on February 22.’ this kid is special. He’s ready to show the world how great he is,” Hearn said.
Stevenson has never shown that he is a “great” fighter in any of the divisions he has fought since turning pro in 2017. He is still in the middle of his career just like Zepeda and many other fighters. Being a world champion in this era of boxing doesn’t mean much.
To be seen as a true champion, fighters like Shakur and others need wins over high-level opposition in 50-50 fights or those where they are not the favorites. Shakur was the biggest favorite in his three-division world title fights, which indicates that he was outmaneuvered.
“Look, the guy’s already a three-weight world champion,” Hearn said when asked if Shakur could make a mistake, running from a hand injury straight into a dangerous fight against William Zepeda. “A little hand surgery – it’s not going to change the way he fights. It’s not going to change his ability. He can beat anyone in the world. So, let him go.”
Shakur’s three world title wins examined:
– Edwin De Los Santos: WBC lightweight
– Jamel Herring: WBO super featherweight
– Joet Gonzalez: WBO featherweight
