Shakur Stevenson has officially signed a deal with Matchroom Boxing to face former IBF super featherweight champion Joe Cordina on October 12th. The bout will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as part of the undercard for the highly anticipated Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol showdown at the Kingdom Arena.
Stevenson remains one of boxing’s most talented fighters, but his recent outings have raised questions about his ability to draw fans and headline major events. Promoter Eddie Hearn is optimistic about turning Shakur into a superstar in the U.S., though he acknowledges the challenge given Stevenson’s defensive, safety-first style, which may not appeal to a broad audience in today’s entertainment-driven era of sports.
This fight against Cordina is believed to be a one-fight deal, primarily set up for the Riyadh Season event. Should Stevenson win, he is expected to defend his WBC lightweight title against the dangerous William Zepeda in February 2025.
Looking further ahead, the fight that Eddie Hearn is eager to arrange is a blockbuster clash between Stevenson and Gervonta "Tank" Davis in 2025. However, Stevenson must first get past Cordina and Zepeda before negotiations for that mega-fight can begin. Even Cordina poses a considerable risk, as he’s known for his knockout power, especially against fighters who aren’t big punchers like Stevenson.
Hearn’s ambitions for Stevenson are clear: to make him a global superstar. However, this may prove difficult if Stevenson’s cautious style continues to draw criticism rather than excitement. Fans today demand entertainment, and Stevenson’s defensive approach might struggle to gain traction, even with Hearn’s promotional prowess behind him.
Image Credit: Matchroom Boxing