Stevenson is a free agent after leaving Zuffa Boxing; White says he offered the release, Stevenson says he asked for it, and no next fight is announced.
From 6 reports by 5 outlets
Latest Hearn calls Stevenson vs. Smith 'a natural fight' 2 updates 5 outlets
What we know
- Stevenson is a free agent and is launching his own promotional company.
- Stevenson signed with Zuffa Boxing in July, and Zuffa never staged a fight with him.
Reported, not confirmed
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Smith kept his WBC super-lightweight title with a split decision over Alberto Puello in Sheffield.
Combat Sports UK
- Hearn suggested a Stevenson vs. Smith unification fight in Sheffield in May, according to an X post by 2ToneDaSupastar; nothing is confirmed. X: @2ToneDaSupastar
Disputed
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Stevenson says he requested his release; White says he offered it. Both say it was granted.
Bloody Elbow
The two sides agree on the outcome but not on who started it. Stevenson wrote that he requested his release after eight weeks in camp for fights that never happened. White says he offered it and the camp accepted, adding that he has nothing bad to say about Stevenson or his team.
The reason for the split is still unexplained. White would not say whether Zuffa tried to book Stevenson's fights, saying "I'm not going to get into any of that." Stevenson's manager told Yahoo Sports the camp wants partners who "honor their word" without naming a broken commitment. Other outlets have run competing takes, including a claim attributed to a Hall of Famer that Stevenson is wary of risking his unbeaten record, but none has been backed with specifics.
Eddie Hearn, speaking after Smith's win in Sheffield, said Stevenson's Zuffa deal was struck because the company believed it had Devin Haney, and that when it could not deliver that fight it wanted to pay Stevenson less for another one. He said DAZN's signings of Teofimo Lopez and Haney hurt Zuffa, and called Stevenson fighting only once this year "criminal".
Stevenson's next move is open. Hearn said Stevenson "will fight anybody" and would be up for facing Smith, but no fight has been announced.
The reason for the split is still unexplained. White would not say whether Zuffa tried to book Stevenson's fights, saying "I'm not going to get into any of that." Stevenson's manager told Yahoo Sports the camp wants partners who "honor their word" without naming a broken commitment. Other outlets have run competing takes, including a claim attributed to a Hall of Famer that Stevenson is wary of risking his unbeaten record, but none has been backed with specifics.
Eddie Hearn, speaking after Smith's win in Sheffield, said Stevenson's Zuffa deal was struck because the company believed it had Devin Haney, and that when it could not deliver that fight it wanted to pay Stevenson less for another one. He said DAZN's signings of Teofimo Lopez and Haney hurt Zuffa, and called Stevenson fighting only once this year "criminal".
Stevenson's next move is open. Hearn said Stevenson "will fight anybody" and would be up for facing Smith, but no fight has been announced.
- Summary
- Stevenson is a free agent after leaving Zuffa Boxing; White says he offered the release, Stevenson says he asked for it, and no next fight is announced.
- Key points (one per line)
- White says he offered Stevenson his release and the camp accepted; Stevenson says he requested it.
Stevenson is a free agent and launching his own promotional company.
Hearn calls a Stevenson vs. Dalton Smith fight natural; nothing is announced.
- Also reported by (Name | URL per line)
- Knockout Daily | https://knockoutdaily.com/news/shakur-stevensons-camp-takes-a-parting-shot-at-dana-whites-zuffa-boxing
Combat Sports UK | https://combatsportsuk.com/news/0f678655-ddb1-49f2-acdc-84c2aff269b3/dana-white-says-he-offered-shakur-stevenson-his-release-from-zuffa-boxing
Combat Sports UK | https://combatsportsuk.com/news/7879288d-210d-49b2-8b5a-f16eef60605c/eddie-hearn-zuffa-boxing-extinction-within-10-months-dazn-stuck-the-boot-in
Bloody Elbow | https://bloodyelbow.com/2026/10/24/dana-white-clarifies-key-detail-as-he-breaks-his-silence-on-shakur-stevensons-release/
X: @2ToneDaSupastar | https://x.com/2ToneDaSupastar/status/2114105906757812452
Boxing News | https://boxingnewsonline.net/news/dana-white-on-shakur-stevenson-release/
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Fighters in this story
Shakur Stevenson
Sean Strickland
Jon Jones
Manny Pacquiao
Devin HaneyHow the story developed
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Hearn calls Stevenson vs. Smith 'a natural fight'Combat Sports UK
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White says he offered Stevenson his release and the camp acceptedCombat Sports UK
Sources
Knockout DailySummarized with AI from the sources above. Read the originals for the full story.
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