Shakur Stevenson, who beat Teofimo Lopez, released by Zuffa Boxing without a fight

The unbeaten WBO light-welterweight champion says he is now a free agent and is setting up his own promotional company, after never fighting under the Zuffa Boxing banner.

Shakur Stevenson is a free agent after Zuffa Boxing granted his request to be released, barely 100 days after the promotion run by UFC chief executive Dana White announced him as a marquee signing.

The 29-year-old, who is 25-0 and holds the WBO title at 140lb, never fought for the organisation. His multi-fight deal was announced in July, and its exact terms were not disclosed. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Stevenson said the release was granted over the weekend and that he is starting his own promotional company, while remaining willing to work with other promoters who take his career as seriously as he does.

He said he had spent around eight weeks in camp preparing for fights he had been told would happen, but which did not materialise. Stevenson said: “I’ve been working my ass off.” He added that he was not angry with anyone or pointing fingers, describing the situation as the business of boxing, and said he asked to leave because of the issues that had built up.

Stevenson last fought in January, winning the light-welterweight title with a unanimous decision over Teofimo Lopez. He has previously won world titles at featherweight, super-featherweight and lightweight.

He plans to defend his title and said he wants the biggest fights available at 135lb or 140lb, regardless of opponent. A move to welterweight is in his plans, but on his own schedule. Stevenson said: “I say give it maybe a year or two, we will get to 147, where everybody is pressing me to be a 147-pounder. I will get there, but on my time, and not on nobody else’s.”

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