Shakur Stevenson Calls Zepeda Fight “For The Fans” As Critics Blast Him For Dodging Bigger Rivals

Shakur Stevenson claims he put his “back against the wall” by “giving the fans the fight they want” against WBC interim lightweight champion William Zepeda on July 12th in New York. However, this is not the fight that fans want to see from the Newark, New Jersey native Shakur (23-0, 11 KOs). They want him to fight his ‘brother’ Keyshawn Davis and Gervonta Davis.

Tailor-Made Matchup

The only reason Shakur wants to fight Zepeda is for strategic purposes. He views the slow, plodding, flat-footed Mexican volume puncher as someone he can out-box and look good against. His style is tailor-made for Shakur’s hit-and-run approach to fighting.

The fighters that Shakur wants no part of fighting due to their power, speed, or boxing skills, he avoids mentioning. These are the third-rail guys that Stevenson is steering clear of:

– Andy Cruz– Raymond Muratalla– Abdullah Mason– Jadier Herrera

For the Fans?

Fan interest in seeing Shakur-Zepeda disappeared after the Golden Boy-promoted Zepeda’s narrow 12-round majority decision win over Tevin Farmer in their rematch on March 29th. That fight was just as razor-close as their previous one on November 16th last year in Riyadh. Many fans felt that Zepeda (33-0, 27 KOs) lost both fights, but was saved by the judges.

“I ain’t never been nobody b**** this ain’t bout the money. This is all about giving the fans the fight they want.. This is for the fans and the millions who doubt me. I put my back against the wall all for them. See y’all on July 12th,” said Shakur Stevenson on X, talking about his title defense against WBC interim 135-lb champ William Zepeda in New York.

Shakur hasn’t made any mention on X about leaving Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom and hooking up with promoter Lou DiBella for his July 12th fight against Zepeda. There’s been no official statement from Matchoom to confirm or deny that Stevenson has left their company after one fight against the electrician Josh Padley.