Report: Shakur Stevenson Demanded 15 Million Per Fight From Zuffa
Shakur Stevenson wanted $15 million regardless of opponent, per reporter Sean Zittel, shedding new light on his Zuffa exit.
New details have emerged about why Shakur Stevenson's time with Zuffa Boxing ended after just three months without a single fight. Reporter Sean Zittel says Stevenson wanted $15 million per bout regardless of who stood across from him, per Boxing News 24.
Zuffa explored two potential fights for Stevenson. The first was a January bout against Jose "Rayo" Valenzuela in Newark that would have paid roughly $7 million. An alternative December fight against an undetermined opponent carried similar money. Stevenson turned down both, per Zittel.
The Devin Haney superfight was the crown jewel of Stevenson's Zuffa tenure. Stevenson initially accepted $15 million for that bout, but Zittel reports he then raised his demands higher. The final figure was not disclosed, and the fight collapsed.
Zittel said he contacted Stevenson's team without getting a response, and stressed his sourcing did not come from Bill Haney or anyone in the Haney camp.
The split is described as mutual. Stevenson was unhappy with the money available, and Zuffa was unwilling to meet his price. Stevenson announced over the weekend that Zuffa granted his release, making him a free agent after his defining victory over Teofimo Lopez in January.
Fifteen million per fight, no matter who is in front of you. That is a bold number for a guy who has never been a pay-per-view draw.
I respect Shakur's talent. The Lopez win was masterful, and he might be the most technically sound boxer on the planet right now. But $15 million is superstar money, and Stevenson has not sold like a superstar yet. Zuffa offering $7 million for Valenzuela was not insulting. It was realistic.
The Haney fight was the one that could have changed everything. Two unbeaten champions, massive storyline, the kind of bout that sells itself. And it fell apart over money. That is boxing in a sentence. Now Shakur is a free agent again, and whoever signs him is going to hear that same $15 million number. Good luck.
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