Shakur Stevenson vs. William Zepeda | DAZN - July 12, 2025

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Purse bids ordered for Shakur Stevenson-William Zepeda

The World Boxing Council has ordered its lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson to defend his title against the top-ranked contender William Zepeda, with a purse bid scheduled for August 20.

Stevenson, 22-0 (10 KOs), and Zepeda each fought on July 6. Stevenson defeated Artem Harutyunyan via unanimous decision in Newark, and Zepeda, 31-0 (27 KOs), knocked out Giovanni Cabrera in the third round in Ontario, California.

The 27-year-old Stevenson’s fight was his last with long-time promoter Top Rank, moving him to free agency.

Earlier in July, Stevenson, and the 28-year-old Zepeda’s promoter, Oscar De La Hoya of Golden Boy Promotions, participated in a Zoom call to discuss the three-division world champion’s future.

De La Hoya emerged from that meeting saying that the only way Stevenson could fight the Mexican – who is the consensus number one contender among all four sanctioning bodies – is to sign with Golden Boy.

The purse bid auction creates the possibility for another promoter to emerge, making the highest bid to promote the bout.

Given both fighters’ schedules, a fall date is likely to follow the winning purse bid.

The IBF champion Vasiliy Lomachenko was scheduled to arrive in the US on Monday to receive an update regarding a potential unification fight with Stevenson’s rival Gervonta “Tank” Davis, the WBA champion, also for the fall.

[margaret thatcher]

love me some willy zep, just an endless tsunami of puncheees. insane gas tank.

prob shak neutralizies him. i would love to see zep vs pitbull cruz

[gregregegg]

Hard to see how shack can neutralise him if he isn’t hurting him. Really a great head scratcher matchup.

But if a slick spoiler type vs a billion punch a round throw a fornicating ton type…

If shak had power I’d back him for a KO, but Geeze he is going to have to be slick to win by points throwing half the punches.

A tank type fight is can do that, cause his punch realllly count, but for Shakur is his power going to keep zepeda off? Is he going to be soooo slick he just neutralises him? It’s an intreeging matchup.

[Evander]

Maybe we need this fight to find about more of them.
It's close I could make a case for both.
Not an A level fight but a work your way up there one.

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Shakur Stevenson and William Zepeda verbally agree on matchup

Shakur Stevenson’s team grew tired of waiting for an offer from Gervonta Davis, so it is moving toward a fight that may have even more entertainment value.

Three-division and WBC lightweight champion Stevenson (22-0, 10 KOs) has verbally agreed to next fight the lightweight division’s consensus No. 1 contender, Mexico’s William Zepeda (31-0, 27 KOs), and Zepeda has also tentatively agreed, according to a boxing official connected to the deal who is unauthorized to speak publicly on the matter because financial and other terms are yet to be finalized.

At this hour, the most likely date and venue for the bout is Oct. 12 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, under the main event of the undisputed light heavyweight championship fight between Russian unbeatens Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.

Zepeda promoter Oscar De La Hoya and Saudi Arabia’s Turki Alalshikh hinted at the bout in a social media post released on Sunday. But a Golden Boy spokesman told Boxing Scene on Tuesday that “nothing has been agreed to.”

Although De La Hoya previously discussed signing 2016 U.S. Olympic silver medalist Stevenson following the July 6 expiration of the fighter’s contract with Top Rank, Stevenson will not sign with De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions, according to an official connected to Stevenson. Forcing such an agreement would be a violation of the Muhammad Ali Act, which stipulates such arrangements are coercive in nature.

Stevenson was hopeful his free agency would sway fellow three-division champion Davis to strike a deal, and a report of such a union filtered out on social media Tuesday. But Stevenson co-manager Josh Dubin told Boxing Scene that after Stevenson’s other co-manager, James Prince, was asked by a Premier Boxing Champions official if Stevenson was interested in fighting Davis and was told yes, a promised return phone call to negotiate never happened. Dubin says they are now one week past the promised date of contact.

Thus, Stevenson has turned to Zepeda, who is coming off a third-round knockout of Giovanni Cabrera on July 6 in Ontario, California. The 28-year-old power-punching left-hander Zepeda is expected to give the defensively brilliant Stevenson a rugged test, while Stevenson’s superb hand and foot quickness will likely challenge Zepeda like no other opponent he has met yet.

Should the bout become reality, DAZN will stream the Oct. 12 Saudi Arabia card.

Boxing Scene will have more on this as events occur.

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William Zepeda vs. Shakur Stevenson Feb. 22 fight canceled after Zepeda suffers left arm injury

William Zepeda's hard-fought win against Tevin Farmer has proven to be costly.

The No. 1 rated lightweight Zepeda, 28, survived his first career knockdown and sneaked by with a split decision win against Tevin Farmer on November 16 in Saudi Arabia.

But during the sixth round of their 10-round fight, the southpaw Zepeda suffered a left arm injury between his wrist and his forearm. After settling back home in Mexico, it's been determined that Zepeda may need surgery, Zepeda's head coach Jacob "Panda" Najar told BS on Sunday.

Najar said the injury will force Zepeda (32-0, 27 KOs) out of his planned fight against WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson on February 22 in Saudi Arabia.

On Sunday, Zepeda posted a photo of himself on social media with his left arm in a sling noting that he needs to rest between six to eight weeks and plans to return at the end of March.

"William is currently taking pain medication and we're scheduled to have a follow-up appointment with the doctor next week," Najar told BS. "I respect Shakur and his entire team, but my fighter's health is first. It's the biggest fight and purse of his career, and I won't let him take the fight unless he's 100 percent. It hurts him. We're hopeful."

Stevenson (22-0, 10 KOs), meanwhile, is recovering from an injury of his own. Hand surgery in September forced his scheduled fight last month against Joe Cordina to be canceled. Stevenson, however, was trending toward a full recovery to fight Zepeda on Riyadh Season's bill in February.

Najar also recounted Zepada's performance against the former 130-pound titleholder Farmer, who landed 193 punches on the Mexican and absorbed 259 shots in return.

After the high-volume punching Zepada suffered the injury in the sixth, he was still throwing a bevy of punches, finishing the last four rounds 22/73, 26/76, 31/89, and 22/79.

"We don't want to make any excuses,” said Najar. “Farmer is a great fighter who had a great gameplan and he almost executed it. It was the first time William fought a fighter with that kind of a style. Farmer has a lot of experience and was able to do a lot of things. He had a good jab and counter. I don't know how it was a split decision because the only round Farmer really won was the fourth round due to the knockdown. Farmer was a hell of a fighter though. We’ll be ready for Shakur once William is healthy.”

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Turki Alalshikh accused of lowballing superstar boxer

And so it begins. The honeymoon is over, apparently, as Turki Alalshikh is accused of rolling back on a previous offer.

Many have praised Alalshikh for ‘saving boxing’ by paying superstar fights what they deserve. However, WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson is adamant that’s no longer the case regarding a fight between him and William Zepeda.

Stevenson claims an acceptable offer was on the table when he first agreed to the WBC mandatory bout last year. But now, the undefeated former Top Rank star states Alalshikh has reneged on his word.

Stevenson exposed Alalshikh’s offer publicly, discussing the potential 2025 clash with promoter Oscar De La Hoya. According to Stevenson, the days of exceptional purses might be over.

De La Hoya began the argument by saying, “After all the s*** talking, Shakur Stevenson pulls out of Zepeda fight.”

Stevenson responded, “Is that what they told you? Turki promised me a number, and now he’s going way back on that number that he promised me.

He is also sending his towel boys to run me the info instead of telling me straight up what he’s trying to do. I don’t bow down to anybody, Mr. De la Hoya. Now let’s negotiate!”

The talented 27-year-old added, “Oh yeah, and I’m not done negotiating because one thing about it: I’m the champ. So whether the fight gets done with these people or not, I’m stepping on them, dude, but the fight will be made next!

“The crazy thing is, on my soul, I would cook dude so badly he’s a mismatch. I want this fight so bad that these dudes want to take advantage of me by giving me way less than I got for [Josh] Padley just because they know how bad I want it!

“The WBC ordered the fight. I’m still champion, and I’m not pulling out of anything. If we can’t reach a deal, then it’s purse bids. See you soon,” he concluded.

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Why don't these promoters pull their fingers out and make these fights.

Stop relying on Turki FFS.

Make the fights yourselves.!

[skanksta]

Shak gotta realise he’s very low worth because of his performances- Turki got every right to lower his offer.

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SHAKUR STEVENSON VS. WILLIAM ZEPEDA IS ORDERED BY THE WBC

The WBC on Monday ordered a mandatory lightweight title fight between its champion, Shakur Stevenson, and No. 1 contender, William Zepeda, sources told The Ring.

The sides have 30 days to negotiate, and if no deal is struck by May 6, the fight will be scheduled for purse bid.

The development comes after Stevenson (23-0, 11 KOs) revealed Saturday on social media that he rejected His Excellency Turki Alalshikh’s offer to fight Zepeda this summer.

“Turki promised me a number and now he going way back on that number that he promised me and sending his towel boys to run me the info … Mr. De La Hoya now let’s negotiate,” Stevenson wrote. “ … I’m still champion and aren’t pulling out of anything. If we can’t reach a deal then purses it is.”

The WBC was still determining the purse split, sources said, as this went to publication. Stevenson’s side requested 70-30 in favor of the champion while Golden Boy Promotions asked the WBC for a more favorable 55-45.

Stevenson, after rejecting Alalshikh’s final offer, stands to earn 70 percent less if he proceeds with the purse bid process depending on what split the WBC determines, sources said.

Stevenson, of course, can always opt to relinquish the title if he’s not satisfied with the outcome of the process. The 27-year-old, who fights out of Houston, is The Ring’s No. 1 lightweight. He’s coming off a ninth-round stoppage over fringe contender Josh Padley in February in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Padley accepted his first title challenge during fight week. Stevenson was set to fight contender Floyd Schofield, who withdrew with illness. That was Stevenson’s first bout after wrist surgery that scrapped a title defense vs. Joe Cordina in October in Riyadh.

Stevenson is The Ring’s No. 4 lightweight. Zepeda (33-0, 27 KOs) is No. 5.

The 28-year-old Mexican volume-puncher has reeled off two consecutive wins over former champion Tevin Farmer in closely contested fights.

Zepeda’s most recent win over Farmer, earlier this month in Cancun, Mexico, was more clear than his decision win in November in Riyadh when he was floored.

[gregregegg]

Shak gotta realise he’s very low worth because of his performances- Turki got every right to lower his offer.

ITs interesting thought... poor performance probably lowers his worth against zep on a Turki card...

But the performance being poor might get him a tank fight on a PBC card.... for more money.

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Shak gotta realise he’s very low worth because of his performances- Turki got every right to lower his offer.

ITs interesting thought... poor performance probably lowers his worth against zep on a Turki card...

But the performance being poor might get him a tank fight on a PBC card.... for more money.

Turki probably paid him his full purse against Padley. Probably wasn’t even reduced. So maybe that’s why he’s reducing it now.

No way Shakur would have earned BIG money to defended against Padley had it been the fight originally scheduled.

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Haha!

Shouldn’t be shooting his mouth off to the hand that feeds him

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SHAKUR STEVENSON VS. WILLIAM ZEPEDA SET FOR JULY 12 RING CARD IN NEW YORK

Shakur Stevenson will defend his WBC lightweight title vs. William Zepeda on July 12 in New York, The Ring has learned.

The highly anticipated 135-pound title clash will be part of a Ring Magazine event that will celebrate the launch of a new television show called “Inside The Ring.”

Stevenson (23-0, 11 KOs) is The Ring’s No. 4 boxer at 135 pounds. The 27-year-old will make the third defense of his title, and he’ll do so just miles from his hometown of Newark, New Jersey. Stevenson is coming off a ninth-round TKO victory over Josh Padley (who replaced Floyd Schofield during fight week) in February in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The three-division champion and Olympic silver medalist will face arguably his toughest opponent yet.

“Camaron” Zepeda (33-0, 27 KOs) is a relentless body puncher who is rated No. 5 by The Ring at lightweight. The Mexican pressure fighter enters his first title shot on the heels of back-to-back wins over former champion Tevin Farmer.

Zepeda was surprisingly floored by Farmer in a split-decision victory in November in Riyadh. The 28-year-old defeated Farmer more soundly in the rematch last month (a majority-decision win) in Cancun, Mexico, but still endured some rocky moments.

The pair of victories over Farmer made it five consecutive fights against southpaws for Zepeda. Stevenson, of course, is a slick southpaw regarded as one of the toughest fighters in boxing to land cleanly on.

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Report: Shakur Stevenson-William Zepeda, Hamzah Sheeraz-Edgar Berlanga set for July 12

Shakur Stevenson and Hamzah Sheeraz, two boxers who appeared on the last Riyadh Season show in February, will reportedly make their returns on another card headed by Turki Alalshikh on July 12.

Stevenson, 23-0 (11 KOs), will defend his WBC lightweight title against mandatory challenger William Zepeda, 33-0 (27 KOs), while Sheeraz, 21-0-1 (17 KOs), will face Edgar Berlanga, 23-1 (18 KOs). The news was reported by Mike Coppinger of Ring Magazine, which will promote the show in New York City. A venue was not announced for the card.

Stevenson, of nearby Newark, New Jersey, is coming off a ninth-round stoppage of late replacement Josh Padley on February 22 in Riyadh, while Zepeda secured his second straight close decision win over Tevin Farmer – a southpaw with a cagey style similar to that of Stevenson – just last month.

Berlanga, who grew up in New York but now resides in Florida, made his ring return last month with a first-round stoppage of Jonathan Gonzalez-Ortiz, just six months after his first defeat – a unanimous decision over Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. Sheeraz, of Ilford, England, was held to a draw in his first world title attempt, against Carlos Adames.

The rest of the card, which will air on DAZN, will feature Alberto Puello defending his WBC junior welterweight title against Subriel Matias, while David Morrell Jnr will seek to bounce back from his defeat to David Benavidez when he faces Imam Khataev.

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BERLANGA-SHEERAZ, STEVENSON-ZEPEDA, PUELLO-MATIAS ON JULY 12 RING MAGAZINE CARD

Ring Magazine 3 will take place July 12 in New York City with Edgar Berlanga-Hamzah Sheeraz in a WBC super middleweight title eliminator and Shakur Stevenson defending his WBC lightweight title vs. William Zepeda, The Ring has learned.

Alberto Puello will defend his WBC junior welterweight title vs. Subriel Matias and David Morrell meets the undefeated Imam Khataev on the undercard.

The super card will be available exclusively on DAZN. This event will celebrate the launch of The Ring’s forthcoming TV show, “Inside The Ring.”

Berlanga (23-1, 18 KOs) is The Ring’s No. 9 super middleweight. Berlanga, 27, is from Brooklyn, New York. His lone professional defeat came against boxing’s top star, Canelo Alvarez, via decision in September.

England’s Sheeraz (21-0-1, 17 KOs) is coming off a controversial draw with Carlos Adames in a WBC middleweight title fight in February in Riyadh.

The 25-year-old will move up to 168 pounds and take on a contender in his super middleweight debut.

Stevenson (23-0, 11 KOs) is The Ring’s No. 4 boxer at 135 pounds. The 27-year-old will make the third defense of his title, and he’ll do so just miles from his hometown of Newark, New Jersey. Stevenson is coming off a ninth-round TKO victory over Josh Padley (who replaced Floyd Schofield during fight week) in February in Riyadh.

The three-division champion and Olympic silver medalist will face arguably his toughest opponent yet.

“Camaron” Zepeda (33-0, 27 KOs) is a relentless body puncher who is rated No. 5 by The Ring at lightweight. The Mexican pressure fighter enters his first title shot on the heels of back-to-back wins over former champion Tevin Farmer.

Zepeda was surprisingly floored by Farmer in a split-decision victory in November in Riyadh. The 28-year-old defeated Farmer more soundly in the rematch last month (a majority-decision win) in Cancun, Mexico, but still endured some rocky moments.

The pair of victories over Farmer made it five consecutive fights against southpaws for Zepeda. Stevenson, of course, is a slick southpaw regarded as one of the toughest fighters in boxing to land cleanly on.

The Dominican Republic’s Puello (24-0, 10 KOs) is The Ring’s No. 4 boxer at 140 pounds. He’ll make the second defense of his WBC junior welterweight title. He’s coming off consecutive wins over Gary Antuanne Russell and Sandor Martin, whom he defeated in March.

Matias (22-2, 22 KOs) is The Ring’s No. 7 junior welterweight. The 33-year-old Puerto Rican is a former champion who lost his title last year to Liam Paro via decision.

Morrell (11-1, 9 KOs) is The Ring’s No. 8 light heavyweight. The Cuban suffered his first loss in February, a decision defeat to David Benavidez.

Morrell, 27, will look to return to the win column in a tough fight against action fighter Imam Khataev, a 30-year-old Russian. Khataev (10-0, 9 KOs) enters the bout on the heels of a bruising decision win over Durval Elias Palacios in March.

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[margaret thatcher]

wow nice card

[gregregegg]

Great card. Thoughts on each fight…

-berlanga vs sheraz Can’t believe sheraz is going strait in with berlanga. To me it feels silly. Going up a weight and then fighting one of the biggest guys at that weight (that’s still good)… I wonder if there will be rehydration limits… if not sheraz is going to go from having fought some medium sized middle weights probably entering the ring at about 175 to fighting a bigggg super middle probably entering the ring at 190+…. Feels like a big wildcard to deal with while also getting use to the weight yourself. I would of given him a much easier first fight at the weight to be honest… 60-40 to berlanga favorite (hydration clause would swing it the other way)

-shakur vs zep… I think shakure is much better than zep. But that dosent mean I think he is a huge favorite because styles make fights. I feel that zep weakness would be power countering not slick countering… can shakure hold off zeps output? I think will be able too just cause zep wasn’t overly impressive vs farmer (a poor mans shak)… zep has had great prep for this though fighting plenty of southpaws.. but even without power shakure should still land some very crisp shots soooo 70-30 shakure favorite.

-puello vs matais, hardly know enough about either to break anything down but I think on records matais should win comfortably… the real loser here is dalton smith… cause I think puello was a very soft champ for him to potentialy get a shot at. 80-20 matais favortie.

-Morrell vs scary Russian Australian man…. Morrell should be too good here, unless that battle with benivedez has dinted him (which I doubt at his age), I like imam, but I just think this is too big a step up. (Although imam was a good amature and probably deserved a gold or silver at the Olympics… ((got a bronze)). 75-25 Morrell favorite.

-Card overall: excelent as a card to sit down and watch the entire thing. Every fight is a live fight. Stylistic they should all be fun (well I dunno about the 140s that much)… not really the guys I follow closely but very very good fights.

[Taansend]

I know this is an out there prediction but after watching Zepeda's last 2 fights it would not surprise me if Stevenson stopped him late on.

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