Shakur Stevenson’s rumored move to Zuffa Boxing could reshape boxing’s power structure and set up massive future fights at 135 pounds.
Insider Dan Rafael talked with TJ Rives about Shakur Stevenson being on the verge of making one of the most important business decisions in modern boxing. According to Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix, Stevenson is working toward finalizing a long-term deal with Zuffa Boxing, a move that could significantly alter both his career trajectory and the future of the sport’s promotional landscape.
Stevenson (25-0, 11 KOs) reminded the boxing world of his elite status when he thoroughly dominated Teofimo Lopez at Madison Square Garden on January 31, 2026. The victory earned Stevenson the WBO super lightweight championship and The Ring title, while once again showcasing the defensive brilliance and ring IQ that have made him one of boxing’s pound-for-pound talents. Shortly after the win, Stevenson was stripped of his WBC lightweight title, further fueling speculation that major changes were coming.
Now, those rumors appear to be turning into reality.
After a brief stint aligned with Matchroom Boxing, Stevenson reportedly has multiple offers on the table. However, the guaranteed money and long-term vision presented by Zuffa Boxing appear to be leading the race. For Zuffa, landing a fighter of Stevenson’s caliber would immediately legitimize the company’s ambitions within professional boxing.
Initially, Zuffa Boxing positioned itself as an entity uninterested in working with traditional sanctioning bodies. That stance now appears to be softening. Recent moves involving Jai Opetaia and Richardson Hitchins, combined with Stevenson’s likely signing, suggest Zuffa understands that championship legitimacy and star power still matter deeply in the boxing ecosystem.
A deal with Zuffa could also signal Stevenson’s return to the lightweight division. Zuffa reportedly plans to recognize only eight weight classes, making 135 pounds a logical landing spot for the Newark native. That instantly creates intriguing possibilities in one of boxing’s deepest divisions.
The lightweight landscape remains fragmented, with Raymond Muratalla and Abdullah Mason currently holding portions of the championship picture. A Stevenson-Muratalla matchup would present a fascinating stylistic chess match. Yet the fight boxing fans would truly crave is a long-discussed showdown between Stevenson and Gervonta Davis.
For years, boxing politics and promotional divides have prevented many marquee fights from becoming reality. Zuffa Boxing’s entry into the sport could potentially change that equation. If Stevenson signs and Davis returns later this year as rumored, the pressure for a blockbuster lightweight showdown may become impossible to ignore.
For now, the boxing world waits. But if Shakur Stevenson officially joins Zuffa Boxing, it could represent far more than a contract signing — it could mark the beginning of boxing’s next major power shift.