Shakur Stevenson is back on the market after parting ways with Dana White's Zuffa Boxing in October.
The likes of Conor Benn and Jai Opetaia were huge additions to the Zuffa stable, but it was hard to look past Stevenson as the promotional company's biggest signing when recruiting him on a multi-fight deal in July.
Proclaiming his wish to become "the number one pound-for-pound fighter in the world" with Zuffa, the American requested to be released from the company just three months later.
His request was honoured and was he released without even fighting for White's organisation.
With Stevenson back on the market from a promotional sense, Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn has refused to shut down a potential reunion with the WBO junior welterweight world champion.
When asked if he has tried to re-sign the 29-year-old by iFL TV's Kugan Cassius, Hearn said:
"Not really. We've had some chats. I think he's going to explore his options and [see] wherever the best deal or the best path for him is.
"I'd like to think, and I'm pretty confident, if you said to him 'who do you think is the best promoter in the world?' he would say me and Matchroom.
"But if we haven't got the deal for him he's not going to sign with Matchroom."
Stevenson signed with Matchroom in August 2024, signing an initial two-fight deal with the promotional company. Fights with Joe Cordina, Wiliam Zepeda and Floyd Schofield were proposed during his stint with Matchroom, but after numerous complications, he would make his debut under the banner against Josh Padley in February 2025.
Stevenson defeated Padley via TKO in the ninth round, but he and Hearn would part ways after the Riyadh clash, with the American instead working with veteran promoter Lou DiBella to pursue a long-awaited clash with Zepeda, where he emerged victorious via unanimous decision.
Stevenson revealed his plans to start his own promotional company following his release from Zuffa, and Hearn gave his thoughts on the career move.
"He wants to be in those rooms and have those conversations with the broadcasters. But he also will acknowledge that he needs promotional help. You can't run a successful promotion at that level and drive someone's profile at that level without a promotional partner."
