​Four-division world champion Shakur Stevenson has signed with Zuffa Boxing, a development confirmed by the promotion’s president, Dana White. The 29-year-old American, undefeated in 25 pro bouts, most recently boxed in February, convincingly defeating Teofimo Lopez to claim the WBO light-welterweight title. After that victory, Stevenson publicly targeted a clash with Britain’s Conor Benn, who is also on Zuffa’s books.
Line them up, one by one, and I’ll beat all the top guys once I get them in front of me, Stevenson declared. With Zuffa Boxing, I’m going after the biggest fights in the sport, and I will become the number one pound-for-pound fighter in the world. Stevenson has already earned world titles across four weight divisions—lightweight, featherweight, and super-featherweight on the professional side, and a bantamweight silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics. White described Stevenson as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters globally and welcomed the high-profile signing, noting that this marks a significant addition for Zuffa Boxing as it strives to compete with the sport’s established promoters and promoters’ networks.
Zuffa Boxing, founded by White and backed by Saudi investment, aims to rival the sport’s established promoters. Its earlier moves created a wave of interest when it lured British welterweight Conor Benn away from Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom stable in February, a bold and high-profile transfer that signaled Zuffa’s intent to reshape boxing’s promotional landscape. Since then, the outfit has added several notable boxers to its roster, including IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia. Opetaia’s status was complicated when he was stripped of the IBF title after moving to Zuffa, underscoring some of the regulatory and organizational questions surrounding the launch.
Whether Stevenson will retain his belts amid this transition remains to be seen. White and Zuffa are exploring changes to the Muhammad Ali Reform Act in the United States to permit a UFC-style business model in boxing. Such changes would enable Zuffa to function as a promoter and sanctioning body with its own world champions under a unified internal system. As the boxing world watches, fans can anticipate a 2026 schedule that could feature Stevenson in a setting that aligns with Zuffa’s broader strategic ambitions, alongside other major signings that the company has pursued in its bid to reshape the sport’s promotional hierarchy.