Shakur Stevenson nearing promotional agreement with Lou DiBella
The managers of Shakur Stevenson are finalizing a deal for the unbeaten WBC lightweight and three-division champion to be represented by veteran New York promoter Lou DiBella for Stevenson’s planned title defense versus Mexico’s William Zepeda on July 12 in New York.
Boxing reporter Dan Rafael first reported DiBella’s involvement – a shift for Stevenson, 23-0 (11 KOs) – away from his two-fight agreement with Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn that included a title defense on February 22 against late-replacement opponent Josh Padley in Saudi Arabia.
According to an official connected to the agreement who was unauthorized to speak publicly on the matter, Stevenson’s co-managers James Prince and Josh Dubin were empowered to negotiate with DiBella because Hearn and Matchroom didn’t exercise their option for the second fight on the agreement with Stevenson.
DiBella’s team will work to represent Stevenson as the New York State Athletic Commission selects officials and assigns medical tests for fighters.
DiBella, according to an official close to the promoter, is said to be “very happy for” Stevenson, a fighter he views as “super talented – to be in a big show again, [DiBella] has gratitude”.
Hearn did not immediately return messages left for him on Monday by Boxing Scene.
Hearn’s parting, said the official, freed Prince to negotiate directly with the Saudi Arabia boxing financier Turki Alalshikh after Stevenson previously accused Alaklshikh on social media of shorting the purse he originally promised when Stevenson and Zepeda sought to fight in 2024. Stevenson has since apologized for the misunderstanding, and the Zepeda fight is a go.
Zepeda’s promoter, Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions, is expected to serve as lead promoter for the card that Alalshikh’s company recently announced – one that includes a super-middleweight bout between Edgar Berlanga and Hamzah Sheeraz, the WBC 140lbs champion Alberto Puello versus former champion Subriel Matias, and David Morrell in a light-heavyweight bout against Imam Khataev.
Golden Boy promoting the card and Berlanga also moving on from Hearn following the expiration of his multi-fight agreement with the promoter isn’t seen as a Saudi turn away from Hearn and Matchroom, who are overseeing the Times Square promotion on May 2 and will be involved in the coming Dmitry Bivol-Artur Beterbiev light-heavyweight title trilogy and the expected return of Anthony Joshua.
“Turki didn’t need Eddie to make a Shakur fight,” said a veteran fight official observing the Saudi’s movements. “That said, I strongly don’t think Eddie’s out … although I don’t think anybody’s solidly in [with Alalshikh] except Frank [Warren of Queensberry Promotions]. If it doesn’t help [Alalshikh’s] agenda, he doesn’t care who he does or doesn’t do business with.
“Eddie can be a difficult guy and I don’t think his ego’s going to handle well the idea that Turki is running boxing, but, that said, if [Alalshikh] wants to make a deal with Eddie for Joshua to fight Tyson Fury, I’m sure he can and will.”
One individual said the July 12 show may also deviate from the rotation of using Madison Square Garden or Barclays Center and get staged at another New York venue, as with the May 2 promotion.
The individual additionally said that they expect Alalshikh to create a fuller “round-robin” of bouts beyond the coming Ryan Garcia-Devin Haney rematch that is expected to follow the card on May 2.
The winner of the WBO 140lbs title bout between the champion Teofimo Lopez and Arnold Barboza Jnr will be positioned to meet the winner of Puello-Matias winner, for instance – or Stevenson may be coaxed to move up one weight class to meet either winner if he achieves his expected triumph.
“You can see [Alalshikh] is cornering those weight classes, and we know he’s not shy about overspending,” the individual said.
Shakur Stevenson vs. William Zepeda | DAZN - July 12, 2025
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Re: Shakur Stevenson vs. William Zepeda | DAZN - July 12, 2025
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Re: Shakur Stevenson vs. William Zepeda | DAZN - July 12, 2025
Does Berlanga-Sheeraz deserve top billing over Stevenson-Zepeda?
If the caliber of the fight was judged by the world title at stake and the talent of the champion, then Shakur Stevenson’s July 12 title defense against Mexico’s unbeaten knockout artist William Zepeda would be the main event.
It’s not.
Instead, the super middleweight non-title bout between recent title challengers Edgar Berlanga and Hamzah Sheeraz now stands as the headliner to a card that also includes a bout between WBC junior welterweight titleholder Alberto Puello and former titleholder Subriel Matias, and the return of light heavyweight David Morrell against unbeaten Imam Khataev.
On Monday’s episode of ProBox TV’s “BS Today,” analysts Chris Algieri and Paulie Malignaggi debated the alignment, with former welterweight titleholder Malignaggi initially contending, “You insult [Stevenson] a little bit” with the co-main status.
Stevenson, 23-0 (11 KOs), and top-ranked contender Zepeda, 33-0 (27 KOs) have been negotiating to fight since last year, and after some social media squabbling toward Saudi Arabia’s boxing financier Turki Alalshikh over his earnings, Stevenson agreed to the fight last week.
On Saturday, Alalshikh’s company announced the fuller card, headed by Berlanga, 23-1 (18 KOs), meeting recent Sheeraz, 21-0-1 (17 KOs). Berlanga was defeated by Canelo Alvarez by unanimous decision in September while Sheeraz fought WBC middleweight titleholder Carlos Adames to a disputed draw on February 22 in Saudi Arabia.
Berlanga appeals to New York’s dedicated Puerto Rican boxing crowd, and Matias is also from Puerto Rico.
“Certain ethnicities bring the audience, and with Sheeraz coming up in weight, fighting a big-name guy, I’m not mad about this fight,” Algieri said on the show. “Berlanga in the main event makes sense.”
Malignaggi, who mentioned he’s heard rumbling that the bout may be staged in New York City’s Central Park, said staging the bout on the weekend of New York’s famed Puerto Rican Day Parade in June made more sense for a Berlanga headlining bout.
“Turki has a bias for Sheeraz. We saw that in the corner [when Alalshikh urged Sheeraz on during the late rounds of the Adames bout]. Maybe he’s just trying to push Sheeraz,” Malignaggi said.
But Algieri said with Berlanga and Matias on the card, the two competitive bouts that sandwich Stevenson-Zepeda provide the card with quality depth.
While Algieri argued that “Puello is a tough nut to crack, that Matias can be befuddled by footwork,” Malignaggi countered: “Matias knocks him out, I tell you right now.”
The pair agreed Zepeda’s difficulty in his past two bouts against former junior lightweight titleholder Tevin Farmer has zapped some of the luster from the Stevenson matchup.
“We’ve noticed with Zepeda there may be a ceiling, there’s a bit of kryptonite with a certain kind of [boxing] style,” Malignaggi said. “Since the Farmer fights, Zepeda comes stumbling into the fight. Maybe that’s why it’s not a main event. Shakur may be too good for his own good.”
After talking himself into it, Malignaggi said, “We’re legitimizing Berlanga-Sheeraz as the main event.”
That said, both fighters are somewhat reeling from their recent losses – Berlanga returned for a walkover, first-round knockout victory in March – and each “needs to perform now,” Malignaggi said.
Berlanga is up against the perception he’s been comforted financially by fighting Alvarez while Sheeraz is battling the perception he’s not as good as the hype that accompanied him to the Adames bout. He’s recently switched trainers, joining Andy Lee.
“[Berlanga] touched the brass ring, and he likes it,” Algieri said. “A loss for Berlanga is debilitating. Berlanga loses, and it’s, ‘He’s soft, sleeping in silk sheets.’ [...] The rebuild is tougher.”
Malignaggi said Sheeraz is desperate, too, coming off what he classified as “mentally, a bad performance […] you decided not to have the balls that night.
Debating who should headline is “a worthwhile conversation point. There’s so many question marks, you can’t wait to see this [Berlanga-Sheeraz] fight between two hungry fighters. I’ve convinced myself.”
If the caliber of the fight was judged by the world title at stake and the talent of the champion, then Shakur Stevenson’s July 12 title defense against Mexico’s unbeaten knockout artist William Zepeda would be the main event.
It’s not.
Instead, the super middleweight non-title bout between recent title challengers Edgar Berlanga and Hamzah Sheeraz now stands as the headliner to a card that also includes a bout between WBC junior welterweight titleholder Alberto Puello and former titleholder Subriel Matias, and the return of light heavyweight David Morrell against unbeaten Imam Khataev.
On Monday’s episode of ProBox TV’s “BS Today,” analysts Chris Algieri and Paulie Malignaggi debated the alignment, with former welterweight titleholder Malignaggi initially contending, “You insult [Stevenson] a little bit” with the co-main status.
Stevenson, 23-0 (11 KOs), and top-ranked contender Zepeda, 33-0 (27 KOs) have been negotiating to fight since last year, and after some social media squabbling toward Saudi Arabia’s boxing financier Turki Alalshikh over his earnings, Stevenson agreed to the fight last week.
On Saturday, Alalshikh’s company announced the fuller card, headed by Berlanga, 23-1 (18 KOs), meeting recent Sheeraz, 21-0-1 (17 KOs). Berlanga was defeated by Canelo Alvarez by unanimous decision in September while Sheeraz fought WBC middleweight titleholder Carlos Adames to a disputed draw on February 22 in Saudi Arabia.
Berlanga appeals to New York’s dedicated Puerto Rican boxing crowd, and Matias is also from Puerto Rico.
“Certain ethnicities bring the audience, and with Sheeraz coming up in weight, fighting a big-name guy, I’m not mad about this fight,” Algieri said on the show. “Berlanga in the main event makes sense.”
Malignaggi, who mentioned he’s heard rumbling that the bout may be staged in New York City’s Central Park, said staging the bout on the weekend of New York’s famed Puerto Rican Day Parade in June made more sense for a Berlanga headlining bout.
“Turki has a bias for Sheeraz. We saw that in the corner [when Alalshikh urged Sheeraz on during the late rounds of the Adames bout]. Maybe he’s just trying to push Sheeraz,” Malignaggi said.
But Algieri said with Berlanga and Matias on the card, the two competitive bouts that sandwich Stevenson-Zepeda provide the card with quality depth.
While Algieri argued that “Puello is a tough nut to crack, that Matias can be befuddled by footwork,” Malignaggi countered: “Matias knocks him out, I tell you right now.”
The pair agreed Zepeda’s difficulty in his past two bouts against former junior lightweight titleholder Tevin Farmer has zapped some of the luster from the Stevenson matchup.
“We’ve noticed with Zepeda there may be a ceiling, there’s a bit of kryptonite with a certain kind of [boxing] style,” Malignaggi said. “Since the Farmer fights, Zepeda comes stumbling into the fight. Maybe that’s why it’s not a main event. Shakur may be too good for his own good.”
After talking himself into it, Malignaggi said, “We’re legitimizing Berlanga-Sheeraz as the main event.”
That said, both fighters are somewhat reeling from their recent losses – Berlanga returned for a walkover, first-round knockout victory in March – and each “needs to perform now,” Malignaggi said.
Berlanga is up against the perception he’s been comforted financially by fighting Alvarez while Sheeraz is battling the perception he’s not as good as the hype that accompanied him to the Adames bout. He’s recently switched trainers, joining Andy Lee.
“[Berlanga] touched the brass ring, and he likes it,” Algieri said. “A loss for Berlanga is debilitating. Berlanga loses, and it’s, ‘He’s soft, sleeping in silk sheets.’ [...] The rebuild is tougher.”
Malignaggi said Sheeraz is desperate, too, coming off what he classified as “mentally, a bad performance […] you decided not to have the balls that night.
Debating who should headline is “a worthwhile conversation point. There’s so many question marks, you can’t wait to see this [Berlanga-Sheeraz] fight between two hungry fighters. I’ve convinced myself.”
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Re: Shakur Stevenson vs. William Zepeda | DAZN - July 12, 2025
Hamzah Sheeraz-Edgar Berlanga, Shakur Stevenson-William Zepeda set for July 12
A show with two main events finally has one solidified home.
Ring Magazine has confirmed that its July 12 card will take place at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center’s Louis Armstrong Stadium in the Flushing Meadows-Corona Park section of Queens, New York. The 14,000-seat tennis stadium, one of the venues used for the annual U.S. Open, will host its first boxing event.
Officially headlining the show on fight night, England’s Hamzah Sheeraz, 21-0-1 (17 KOs), will move up in weight to face Brooklyn’s Edgar Berlanga, 23-1 (18 KOs), in a super middleweight contest between former title challengers.
The co-feature will pit Shakur Stevenson, 23-0 (11 KOs), and William Zepeda, 33-0 (27 KOs), in a WBC lightweight title consolidation bout. Stevenson, a 2016 Olympic silver medalist and three-division titlist from Newark, New Jersey, is the recognized full WBC title claimant. Mexico’s Zepeda holds the interim version of the belt.
Stevenson-Zepeda will take the lead during fight week activities, per a previous explanation from Ring Magazine, however absurd the concept.
A media-only press conference will be held Thursday at Palladium Times Square. Ironically, the kickoff presser will take place within walking distance of the outdoor makeshift location where Ring held its intimate U.S. launch show on May 2.
The isolated location for that event was met with industry-wide criticism. Access to the show was limited to invited media and VIP guests. A RING-branded barricade surrounding the site not only blocked public view but prevented pedestrians from freely navigating the high-volume area.
Moving its second U.S. show to a conventional facility will alleviate those concerns, while also providing the famed tennis center with a watershed moment in its first boxing venture.
Louis Armstrong Stadium in its present form opened in 2018, replacing the venue of the same name from 40 years prior. The state-of-the-art facility is equipped with a retractable roof, a failsafe in the event of inclement weather.
All of the card’s top four fighters fought in the first quarter of 2025 – Sheeraz and Stevenson on the same February 22 Riyadh Season show, Berlanga on March 15 in Orlando, Florida, and Zepeda this past March 29 in Cancun, Mexico.
Sheeraz is the only fighter of the abovementioned quartet who has not posted a win this year. The unbeaten contender fought to a draw with WBC middleweight titlist Carlos Adames. The decision was met with scrutiny, as most observers felt Adames not only deserved the nod but was flat-out robbed of a rightful victory.
While not an official defeat, the stalemate snapped a 15-fight knockout streak enjoyed by Sheeraz. It was also his last fight at middleweight and with trainer Ricky Funez. As previously reported by BS, the 25-year-old Sheeraz confirmed his permanent move to super middleweight and is now guided by former WBO middleweight titlist Andy Lee.
Stevenson appeared in the co-feature of that same card, and earned a ninth-round stoppage of late replacement challenger Josh Padley. The win marked his second successful title defense.
Berlanga returned to the win column with a first-round knockout of woefully overmatched Jonathan Gonzalez-Ortiz. The fight was his first since his lopsided defeat to super middleweight king Saul “Canelo” Alvarez last September 14 in Las Vegas.
Zepeda retained his interim WBC lightweight title in a repeat win over Tevin Farmer earlier this year. The volume-punching Mexican southpaw claimed a majority decision, slightly improving on his split decision win over Farmer last November 16 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Zepeda suffered the first knockdown of his career that night, but he recovered to edge Farmer for the secondary WBC belt.
A show with two main events finally has one solidified home.
Ring Magazine has confirmed that its July 12 card will take place at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center’s Louis Armstrong Stadium in the Flushing Meadows-Corona Park section of Queens, New York. The 14,000-seat tennis stadium, one of the venues used for the annual U.S. Open, will host its first boxing event.
Officially headlining the show on fight night, England’s Hamzah Sheeraz, 21-0-1 (17 KOs), will move up in weight to face Brooklyn’s Edgar Berlanga, 23-1 (18 KOs), in a super middleweight contest between former title challengers.
The co-feature will pit Shakur Stevenson, 23-0 (11 KOs), and William Zepeda, 33-0 (27 KOs), in a WBC lightweight title consolidation bout. Stevenson, a 2016 Olympic silver medalist and three-division titlist from Newark, New Jersey, is the recognized full WBC title claimant. Mexico’s Zepeda holds the interim version of the belt.
Stevenson-Zepeda will take the lead during fight week activities, per a previous explanation from Ring Magazine, however absurd the concept.
A media-only press conference will be held Thursday at Palladium Times Square. Ironically, the kickoff presser will take place within walking distance of the outdoor makeshift location where Ring held its intimate U.S. launch show on May 2.
The isolated location for that event was met with industry-wide criticism. Access to the show was limited to invited media and VIP guests. A RING-branded barricade surrounding the site not only blocked public view but prevented pedestrians from freely navigating the high-volume area.
Moving its second U.S. show to a conventional facility will alleviate those concerns, while also providing the famed tennis center with a watershed moment in its first boxing venture.
Louis Armstrong Stadium in its present form opened in 2018, replacing the venue of the same name from 40 years prior. The state-of-the-art facility is equipped with a retractable roof, a failsafe in the event of inclement weather.
All of the card’s top four fighters fought in the first quarter of 2025 – Sheeraz and Stevenson on the same February 22 Riyadh Season show, Berlanga on March 15 in Orlando, Florida, and Zepeda this past March 29 in Cancun, Mexico.
Sheeraz is the only fighter of the abovementioned quartet who has not posted a win this year. The unbeaten contender fought to a draw with WBC middleweight titlist Carlos Adames. The decision was met with scrutiny, as most observers felt Adames not only deserved the nod but was flat-out robbed of a rightful victory.
While not an official defeat, the stalemate snapped a 15-fight knockout streak enjoyed by Sheeraz. It was also his last fight at middleweight and with trainer Ricky Funez. As previously reported by BS, the 25-year-old Sheeraz confirmed his permanent move to super middleweight and is now guided by former WBO middleweight titlist Andy Lee.
Stevenson appeared in the co-feature of that same card, and earned a ninth-round stoppage of late replacement challenger Josh Padley. The win marked his second successful title defense.
Berlanga returned to the win column with a first-round knockout of woefully overmatched Jonathan Gonzalez-Ortiz. The fight was his first since his lopsided defeat to super middleweight king Saul “Canelo” Alvarez last September 14 in Las Vegas.
Zepeda retained his interim WBC lightweight title in a repeat win over Tevin Farmer earlier this year. The volume-punching Mexican southpaw claimed a majority decision, slightly improving on his split decision win over Farmer last November 16 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Zepeda suffered the first knockdown of his career that night, but he recovered to edge Farmer for the secondary WBC belt.
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Re: Shakur Stevenson vs. William Zepeda | DAZN - July 12, 2025
Kick off presser
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Re: Shakur Stevenson vs. William Zepeda | DAZN - July 12, 2025
Shakur Stevenson: ‘If I don’t get past Zepeda, there is no Tank fight’
Shakur Stevenson is at a crossroads in his career. Heading into his second straight fight on a Riyadh Season card, Stevenson will get his first significant test of this phase of his career when he meets mandatory challenger William Zepeda on July 12 at Louis Armstrong Stadium in the Corona section of Queens, New York.
Stevenson, who will be making the third defense of his WBC lightweight title, was on the dais when Riyadh Season head Turki Alalshikh called in to Thursday’s press conference in New York to remind the public that a fight with Gervonta “Tank” Davis, which would likely be the most lucrative and high profile fight of Stevenson’s career, remains a target for the New Jersey native.
Even as big money flows into the sport from Saudi Arabia, making the impossible suddenly seem possible, Stevenson says there is only one southpaw lightweight he is focused on at the moment.
“Right now all that’s in my mind is July 12. Of course I want the Tank fight, I’ve been saying that for years but truthfully, if I don’t get past Zepeda, there is no Tank fight. Zepeda is first and I’m coming to stand on business,” said Stevenson, 23-0 (11 KOs), who is coming off a ninth-round stoppage of late replacement Josh Padley in February.
“Also know that I’m not sleeping on William Zepeda. This is a fighter in front of me that has been waiting on this opportunity his entire life. I knew Zepeda back when I was 15-16 years old and he was focused then. I understand that this is his moment too, so at the end of the day I gotta go lock in and I gotta step on him.”
Zepeda, 33-0 (27 KOs), of San Mateo Atenco, Mexico is coming into the fight off of two straight wins over Tevin Farmer - by split and majority decision, respectively - which earned him the WBC interim title and a nonstop ticket to the Stevenson fight. Zepeda, 28, acknowledged this is the moment that his 16-year journey in boxing has been leading to.
“I’ve always been a fighter that’s known to be very disciplined, very focused. This is not the exception. This is the biggest fight of my life, the greatest opportunity that I’ve had. I want to be known as a Mexican legend, but not only as a Mexican legend, but a legend in the sport of boxing. I look at this fight like a movie, almost like Meldrick Taylor vs. [Julio Cesar] Chavez, and I just want that type of fight,” said Zepeda.
Zepeda took the opportunity in this public venue to challenge Stevenson, a defensive wizard who fights as well in the pocket as he does at range, to stand at close quarters and trade punches to give the fans a fight reminiscent of the action in the first Chavez-Taylor fight in 1990.
“A lot of fighters that I fight think that I’m just a guy that just comes and throws punches until they’re in the ring with me. Shakur can say he’s gonna stand and fight with me, but he’s gonna have to go back to his plan and box at some time too, so we’re preparing for everything,” said Zepeda.
Stevenson didn’t bite, saying he’s focused more on putting all of the elements of his game together.
“It sounds like that’s what they want me to do so I’m coming there to put on a performance. I’m not focusing on doing one thing. I’m not focusing on standing there; I’m not focusing on boxing. I’m coming there to put on the best performance of my career and July 12 Zepeda is gonna remember my name,” said Stevenson.
“He can’t do nothing different. He can sit here and act like I got a plan B, plan C, Plan D, [but] he can’t do nothing different. He’s coming in there to throw as many punches as possible, overwhelm me, make me tired and try to bully me. I’m not gonna let that happen so I don’t believe that bullshit he’s talking.”
The Stevenson-Zepeda fight will essentially be the co-main event to the Edgar Berlanga vs. Hamzah Sheeraz fight, which will headline a card that will stream live on DAZN.
Shakur Stevenson is at a crossroads in his career. Heading into his second straight fight on a Riyadh Season card, Stevenson will get his first significant test of this phase of his career when he meets mandatory challenger William Zepeda on July 12 at Louis Armstrong Stadium in the Corona section of Queens, New York.
Stevenson, who will be making the third defense of his WBC lightweight title, was on the dais when Riyadh Season head Turki Alalshikh called in to Thursday’s press conference in New York to remind the public that a fight with Gervonta “Tank” Davis, which would likely be the most lucrative and high profile fight of Stevenson’s career, remains a target for the New Jersey native.
Even as big money flows into the sport from Saudi Arabia, making the impossible suddenly seem possible, Stevenson says there is only one southpaw lightweight he is focused on at the moment.
“Right now all that’s in my mind is July 12. Of course I want the Tank fight, I’ve been saying that for years but truthfully, if I don’t get past Zepeda, there is no Tank fight. Zepeda is first and I’m coming to stand on business,” said Stevenson, 23-0 (11 KOs), who is coming off a ninth-round stoppage of late replacement Josh Padley in February.
“Also know that I’m not sleeping on William Zepeda. This is a fighter in front of me that has been waiting on this opportunity his entire life. I knew Zepeda back when I was 15-16 years old and he was focused then. I understand that this is his moment too, so at the end of the day I gotta go lock in and I gotta step on him.”
Zepeda, 33-0 (27 KOs), of San Mateo Atenco, Mexico is coming into the fight off of two straight wins over Tevin Farmer - by split and majority decision, respectively - which earned him the WBC interim title and a nonstop ticket to the Stevenson fight. Zepeda, 28, acknowledged this is the moment that his 16-year journey in boxing has been leading to.
“I’ve always been a fighter that’s known to be very disciplined, very focused. This is not the exception. This is the biggest fight of my life, the greatest opportunity that I’ve had. I want to be known as a Mexican legend, but not only as a Mexican legend, but a legend in the sport of boxing. I look at this fight like a movie, almost like Meldrick Taylor vs. [Julio Cesar] Chavez, and I just want that type of fight,” said Zepeda.
Zepeda took the opportunity in this public venue to challenge Stevenson, a defensive wizard who fights as well in the pocket as he does at range, to stand at close quarters and trade punches to give the fans a fight reminiscent of the action in the first Chavez-Taylor fight in 1990.
“A lot of fighters that I fight think that I’m just a guy that just comes and throws punches until they’re in the ring with me. Shakur can say he’s gonna stand and fight with me, but he’s gonna have to go back to his plan and box at some time too, so we’re preparing for everything,” said Zepeda.
Stevenson didn’t bite, saying he’s focused more on putting all of the elements of his game together.
“It sounds like that’s what they want me to do so I’m coming there to put on a performance. I’m not focusing on doing one thing. I’m not focusing on standing there; I’m not focusing on boxing. I’m coming there to put on the best performance of my career and July 12 Zepeda is gonna remember my name,” said Stevenson.
“He can’t do nothing different. He can sit here and act like I got a plan B, plan C, Plan D, [but] he can’t do nothing different. He’s coming in there to throw as many punches as possible, overwhelm me, make me tired and try to bully me. I’m not gonna let that happen so I don’t believe that bullshit he’s talking.”
The Stevenson-Zepeda fight will essentially be the co-main event to the Edgar Berlanga vs. Hamzah Sheeraz fight, which will headline a card that will stream live on DAZN.
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Re: Shakur Stevenson vs. William Zepeda | DAZN - July 12, 2025
HOW DOES IMAM KHATAEV BEAT DAVID MORRELL JR., AND WHAT WOULD IT MEAN?
Imam Khataev has drawn comparisons to a more accomplished, well-known Chechen knockout artist during his 3½ years as a pro.
The unbeaten Russian has thudding power, brutalizes opponents to the head and body and rarely stops coming forward. The 2021 Olympic bronze medalist has a lot to prove, however, if he is ever to ascend to the heights former undisputed champion Artrur Beterbiev reached in the light heavyweight division.
That’s precisely why Khataev, who resides and trains in Australia, accepted a fight with David Morrell Jr. Their 10-round light heavyweight bout July 12 will undoubtedly serve as the most difficult test of Khataev’s career.
Morrell-Khataev hasn’t received as much attention as the Shakur Stevenson-William Zepeda or Edgar Berlanga-Hamzah Sheeraz bouts. Their 175-pound showdown still might emerge as the most entertaining action fight among the four on this “Ring III” pay-per-view show at Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens, New York.
Last fight: Defeated Durval Elias Palacio (14-4, 11 KOs) by unanimous decision in a 10-round match March 22 at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia.
Odds: Khataev is a plus-350 betting underdog against Morrell (minus-500), according to DraftKings.
How does Khataev win: Khataev tired while going the distance for the first time as a pro against Palacio. He’ll need to be better conditioned to go another 10 rounds with Morrell if necessary. Morrell (11-1, 9 KOs) wasn’t pleased with how he battled David Benavidez because the Cuban southpaw abandoned the game plan trainer Ronnie Shields designed for him and traded too much with the unbeaten WBC light heavyweight champion. Khataev (10-0, 9 KOs) must pressure Morrell similarly and lure him into the types of exchanges that benefited Benavidez in a 12-round bout he won by unanimous decision Feb. 1 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
What it means if he wins: Morrell is one of the most talented fighters in their division, the opponent Benavidez credits for giving him his most difficult fight. Beating Morrell, The Ring’s No. 8 light heavyweight contender, would legitimize the 30-year-old Khataev, who’s ranked No. 10 by The Ring.
What they’re saying: “I need to keep proving myself with this guy. He needs to prove himself, too. That’s why he took this fight with me.” – David Morrell Jr.
TV/Steam: DAZN Pay-Per-View; $59.99 in the U.S. (6 p.m. ET); £24.99 in the UK (11 p.m. GMT).
Imam Khataev has drawn comparisons to a more accomplished, well-known Chechen knockout artist during his 3½ years as a pro.
The unbeaten Russian has thudding power, brutalizes opponents to the head and body and rarely stops coming forward. The 2021 Olympic bronze medalist has a lot to prove, however, if he is ever to ascend to the heights former undisputed champion Artrur Beterbiev reached in the light heavyweight division.
That’s precisely why Khataev, who resides and trains in Australia, accepted a fight with David Morrell Jr. Their 10-round light heavyweight bout July 12 will undoubtedly serve as the most difficult test of Khataev’s career.
Morrell-Khataev hasn’t received as much attention as the Shakur Stevenson-William Zepeda or Edgar Berlanga-Hamzah Sheeraz bouts. Their 175-pound showdown still might emerge as the most entertaining action fight among the four on this “Ring III” pay-per-view show at Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens, New York.
Last fight: Defeated Durval Elias Palacio (14-4, 11 KOs) by unanimous decision in a 10-round match March 22 at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia.
Odds: Khataev is a plus-350 betting underdog against Morrell (minus-500), according to DraftKings.
How does Khataev win: Khataev tired while going the distance for the first time as a pro against Palacio. He’ll need to be better conditioned to go another 10 rounds with Morrell if necessary. Morrell (11-1, 9 KOs) wasn’t pleased with how he battled David Benavidez because the Cuban southpaw abandoned the game plan trainer Ronnie Shields designed for him and traded too much with the unbeaten WBC light heavyweight champion. Khataev (10-0, 9 KOs) must pressure Morrell similarly and lure him into the types of exchanges that benefited Benavidez in a 12-round bout he won by unanimous decision Feb. 1 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
What it means if he wins: Morrell is one of the most talented fighters in their division, the opponent Benavidez credits for giving him his most difficult fight. Beating Morrell, The Ring’s No. 8 light heavyweight contender, would legitimize the 30-year-old Khataev, who’s ranked No. 10 by The Ring.
What they’re saying: “I need to keep proving myself with this guy. He needs to prove himself, too. That’s why he took this fight with me.” – David Morrell Jr.
TV/Steam: DAZN Pay-Per-View; $59.99 in the U.S. (6 p.m. ET); £24.99 in the UK (11 p.m. GMT).
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Re: Shakur Stevenson vs. William Zepeda | DAZN - July 12, 2025
EDDIE HEARN EXPECTS DAVID MORRELL-IMAM KHATAEV TO PRODUCE 'ABSOLUTE BLOODBATH'
Eddie Hearn is certain one fight on the upcoming “Ring III” pay-per-view show hasn’t received the attention it deserves.
The two fights atop the card — Edgar Berlanga against Hamzah Sheeraz and Shakur Stevenson versus William Zepeda — have received much of the promotional push since the July 12 event was announced last month. Champion Alberto Puello and Subriel Matias should also present an interesting clash of styles in their 12-round fight for the WBC 140-pound crown at Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens, New York.
Hearn, whose company promotes Stevenson, wouldn’t be the least bit surprised, however, if David Morrell Jr. and Imam Khataev leave fans more entertained than any other match.
“Morrell against Kataev will be an absolute bloodbath — bloodbath,” Hearn told The Ring’s Rick Reeno during an interview that was posted recently to
“It will be brutal.”
The stakes are high in their 10-round light heavyweight fight.
The Cuban-born, Miami-based Morrell (11-1, 9 KOs) needs a win five months after his first professional defeat — a 12-round unanimous decision to unbeaten WBC light heavyweight champ David Benavidez on Feb. 1 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Khataev (10-0, 9 KOs), who won a bronze medal for Russia at the 2021 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, will try to validate himself as a light heavyweight contender against an opponent Benavidez considers the most formidable foe he has faced in 30 pro bouts.
Hearn, the chairman of Matchroom Boxing, was surprised Morrell and Khataev took this risky fight when Turki Alalshikh offered it.
“That fight, Morrell-Kataev, is an absolute barnburner,” Hearn said. “We had Kataev on our show in Sydney his last fight. He is all action. He is dangerous. And it’s gone from like Morrell was like the hunter. He’s actually the hunted in that fight. … And again, these crazy cards you guys do at The Ring magazine, that fight just wouldn’t happen [otherwise]. You just don’t fight Khataev, right? And you just don’t fight Morrell. Those two just fight each other.”
Kataev, who trains and resides in Australia, defeated Argentina’s Durval Elias Palacio (14-4, 11 KOs) by unanimous decision in his most recent fight March 22 at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney. That victory ended a nine-fight knockout streak since he turned pro in 2021.
DraftKings considers Morrell, who is ranked No. 8 among The Ring’s top 10 light heavyweight contenders, a 5-1 favorite to defeat the 10th-ranked Khataev. DAZN will distribute the pay-per-view card that includes Berlanga-Sheeraz, Stevenson-Zepeda, Puello-Matias and Morrell-Khataev in the United States ($59.99; 6 p.m. ET) and the United Kingdom (£24.99; 11 p.m. BST).
Eddie Hearn is certain one fight on the upcoming “Ring III” pay-per-view show hasn’t received the attention it deserves.
The two fights atop the card — Edgar Berlanga against Hamzah Sheeraz and Shakur Stevenson versus William Zepeda — have received much of the promotional push since the July 12 event was announced last month. Champion Alberto Puello and Subriel Matias should also present an interesting clash of styles in their 12-round fight for the WBC 140-pound crown at Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens, New York.
Hearn, whose company promotes Stevenson, wouldn’t be the least bit surprised, however, if David Morrell Jr. and Imam Khataev leave fans more entertained than any other match.
“Morrell against Kataev will be an absolute bloodbath — bloodbath,” Hearn told The Ring’s Rick Reeno during an interview that was posted recently to
“It will be brutal.”
The stakes are high in their 10-round light heavyweight fight.
The Cuban-born, Miami-based Morrell (11-1, 9 KOs) needs a win five months after his first professional defeat — a 12-round unanimous decision to unbeaten WBC light heavyweight champ David Benavidez on Feb. 1 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Khataev (10-0, 9 KOs), who won a bronze medal for Russia at the 2021 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, will try to validate himself as a light heavyweight contender against an opponent Benavidez considers the most formidable foe he has faced in 30 pro bouts.
Hearn, the chairman of Matchroom Boxing, was surprised Morrell and Khataev took this risky fight when Turki Alalshikh offered it.
“That fight, Morrell-Kataev, is an absolute barnburner,” Hearn said. “We had Kataev on our show in Sydney his last fight. He is all action. He is dangerous. And it’s gone from like Morrell was like the hunter. He’s actually the hunted in that fight. … And again, these crazy cards you guys do at The Ring magazine, that fight just wouldn’t happen [otherwise]. You just don’t fight Khataev, right? And you just don’t fight Morrell. Those two just fight each other.”
Kataev, who trains and resides in Australia, defeated Argentina’s Durval Elias Palacio (14-4, 11 KOs) by unanimous decision in his most recent fight March 22 at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney. That victory ended a nine-fight knockout streak since he turned pro in 2021.
DraftKings considers Morrell, who is ranked No. 8 among The Ring’s top 10 light heavyweight contenders, a 5-1 favorite to defeat the 10th-ranked Khataev. DAZN will distribute the pay-per-view card that includes Berlanga-Sheeraz, Stevenson-Zepeda, Puello-Matias and Morrell-Khataev in the United States ($59.99; 6 p.m. ET) and the United Kingdom (£24.99; 11 p.m. BST).
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Re: Shakur Stevenson vs. William Zepeda | DAZN - July 12, 2025
“When you got a fighter that mastered their own style, they’re always the most dangerous fighter,” Stevenson said. “William Zepeda is a guy who mastered his style, he understands his style, he understands what he’s coming to do. But with July 12, they don’t know what I’m coming to do. I got different things to my game. I can box and move, I can stand there in the pocket and make you miss, I can do 100 different things to him to where he don’t know what’s happening July 12 so it’s going to be an amazing fight.
“It’s very possible [that I hurt Zepeda]. These people think I can’t crack, these people think ‘all you do is run.’ That’s the wrong logic of me. I’m a fighter at the end of the day. We get in there and I got to fight, I’m going to fight and I’m not coming there to lose. I’m not into that. William Zepeda is not a guy who’s just going to let you move all around the ring and not cut off the ring. He’s not a guy that’s going to allow you to not engage in the fight. So I’m not here to lose, I’m here to win.”
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Re: Shakur Stevenson vs. William Zepeda | DAZN - July 12, 2025
huh? a ring that shrinks? how does that work and is that even allowed?
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Re: Shakur Stevenson vs. William Zepeda | DAZN - July 12, 2025
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Last edited by maurerbrian on 01 Aug 2025, 09:08, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Shakur Stevenson vs. William Zepeda | DAZN - July 12, 2025
Shakur is nor Farmer-its gonna be a long night for Zepeda.
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Re: Shakur Stevenson vs. William Zepeda | DAZN - July 12, 2025
Stevenson on his message for Zepeda
“I’m just letting them know I’m ready, I’m coming. This is my spot, my opportunity and I can’t wait to show the fans who I truly am.
“It’s a lot of doubters. There’s a lot of haters. There’s a lot of people who think I’m not who I say I am. So Saturday night we’re going to see if they’re right or they’re wrong and I promise you they wrong.”
On whether or not anyone has to worry about “Tom & Jerry” running in this fight
“If you call me Jerry then I’m whooping Tom ass. So that’s what I’m coming here for.”
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Re: Shakur Stevenson vs. William Zepeda | DAZN - July 12, 2025
IMAM KHATAEV'S DELAYED ARRIVAL DOESN'T TROUBLE DAVID MORRELL AMID PED QUESTIONS FROM 2024
NEW YORK — David Morrell Jr. remained unfazed Wednesday when he realized his opponent still hadn’t made it to Manhattan for fight week.
Imam Khataev was in Toronto while Morrell moved around the ring during an open workout to promote “Ring IIII,” a DAZN Pay-Per-View show Saturday night at Louis Armstrong Stadium in nearby Queens. The Ring has learned Kataev’s visa to enter the United States has been approved and he is expected to arrive in Manhattan in time for the final press conference Thursday at Hard Rock New York in Times Square.
The Cuban-born, Miami-based Morrell (11-1, KOs) arrived several days ago to help promote his 10-round light heavyweight fight against Russia’s Kataev (10-0, 9 KOs). He has been confident all along that Khataev’s travel issue would be resolved in time for their fight.
“I don’t know,” Morrell told a group of reporters after he stepped down from the ring. “My team don’t tell me nothing for now. So, I’m ready. I’ve been ready for him. I’m ready for this fight, for him. Whenever he gets here, I don’t care. I’m ready.”
A smiling Morrell made light of the situation by suggesting Khataev’s late arrival is a psychological ploy by the 2021 Olympic bronze medalist.
“It’s OK,” Morrell said. “Maybe it’s the plan for him, for the mind or something. I don’t know what’s happening right now, but it’s OK.”
Morrell didn’t seem concerned, either, about reports that surfaced Wednesday regarding Khataev’s two-year suspension for failing a performance-enhancing drug test in April 2024.
The International Testing Agency confirmed that it suspended Khataev for two years because he tested positive for Clomifene, a banned substance, as part of an out-of-competition exam last year. The ITA conducts tests on behalf of the International Boxing Association.
Khataev, who resides and trains in Sydney, Australia, has boxed professionally four times since he failed that test — once apiece in Perth, Australia, Montreal, Grozny, Russia, and Sydney. That failed test is not expected to impact Khataev’s licensure with the New York State Athletic Commission, the regulatory agency responsible for “Ring III.”
Khataev, 30, and Morrell, 27, have adhered to full Voluntary Anti-Doping Association testing since they agreed to fight on this card. VADA’s involvement has made Morrell confident he’ll encounter a clean fighter on Saturday night.
“I wanna fight,” Morrell said. “I pray to God that everything is [approved]. I wanna fight him. I wanna fight Saturday night.”
Morrell is a 6-1 favorite to defeat Kataev, according to DraftKings, on a stacked card DAZN will distribute in the United States ($59.99; 5 p.m. ET) and the United Kingdom (£24.99; 10 p.m. BST).
NEW YORK — David Morrell Jr. remained unfazed Wednesday when he realized his opponent still hadn’t made it to Manhattan for fight week.
Imam Khataev was in Toronto while Morrell moved around the ring during an open workout to promote “Ring IIII,” a DAZN Pay-Per-View show Saturday night at Louis Armstrong Stadium in nearby Queens. The Ring has learned Kataev’s visa to enter the United States has been approved and he is expected to arrive in Manhattan in time for the final press conference Thursday at Hard Rock New York in Times Square.
The Cuban-born, Miami-based Morrell (11-1, KOs) arrived several days ago to help promote his 10-round light heavyweight fight against Russia’s Kataev (10-0, 9 KOs). He has been confident all along that Khataev’s travel issue would be resolved in time for their fight.
“I don’t know,” Morrell told a group of reporters after he stepped down from the ring. “My team don’t tell me nothing for now. So, I’m ready. I’ve been ready for him. I’m ready for this fight, for him. Whenever he gets here, I don’t care. I’m ready.”
A smiling Morrell made light of the situation by suggesting Khataev’s late arrival is a psychological ploy by the 2021 Olympic bronze medalist.
“It’s OK,” Morrell said. “Maybe it’s the plan for him, for the mind or something. I don’t know what’s happening right now, but it’s OK.”
Morrell didn’t seem concerned, either, about reports that surfaced Wednesday regarding Khataev’s two-year suspension for failing a performance-enhancing drug test in April 2024.
The International Testing Agency confirmed that it suspended Khataev for two years because he tested positive for Clomifene, a banned substance, as part of an out-of-competition exam last year. The ITA conducts tests on behalf of the International Boxing Association.
Khataev, who resides and trains in Sydney, Australia, has boxed professionally four times since he failed that test — once apiece in Perth, Australia, Montreal, Grozny, Russia, and Sydney. That failed test is not expected to impact Khataev’s licensure with the New York State Athletic Commission, the regulatory agency responsible for “Ring III.”
Khataev, 30, and Morrell, 27, have adhered to full Voluntary Anti-Doping Association testing since they agreed to fight on this card. VADA’s involvement has made Morrell confident he’ll encounter a clean fighter on Saturday night.
“I wanna fight,” Morrell said. “I pray to God that everything is [approved]. I wanna fight him. I wanna fight Saturday night.”
Morrell is a 6-1 favorite to defeat Kataev, according to DraftKings, on a stacked card DAZN will distribute in the United States ($59.99; 5 p.m. ET) and the United Kingdom (£24.99; 10 p.m. BST).
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