“This Isn’t About Money”- Shakur Stevenson Finally Breaks Silence on Undercard Role as Turki Alalshikh Sides With Edgar Berlanga

After months of asking, Shakur Stevenson got exactly what he wanted. Despite that, it seems like Edgar Berlanga came out as the real winner. Earlier today, The Ring reported that the Newark native is set to defend his title against William Zepeda on July 12 in New York City. However, confusion arose when boxing journalist Dan Rafael revealed that Berlanga, not Stevenson, will headline the event alongside Hamzah Sheeraz.

Considering Sugar’s prominence and the hype around his fight against Zepeda, the decision to sideline the WBC lightweight championship bout is surprising. Fans and analysts questioned the move, and now the undefeated 27-year-old has finally addressed the controversy.

Shakur Stevenson is giving all to his fans

As soon as Dan Rafael reported the main event, another boxing insider, Ray Jackson, a staunch Gervonta Davis supporter, took to his ‘X’ to mock the WBC champion. “Shakur Stevenson went from selling out arenas in his hometown to fighting on B2B undercards with Turki,” he wrote. He didn’t stop there, also targeting Devin Haney: “Devin Haney went from selling out arenas in his hometown to being the co-main to a guy using PED/Racist with Turki.” Jackson’s final jab implied Stevenson’s decision to co-headline was driven by Saudi cash.

He wrote, “Ooh wee, look at what Turki money would make a b**h do 💀,” he concluded. The comment didn’t sit right with the Newark native, who immediately fired back, dismissing the money-chasing narrative. “I ain’t never been nobody, b***h this ain’t bout the money; This all about giving the fans the fight they want,” he wrote. The Newark native doubled down, emphasizing his commitment to his supporters and his willingness to take a co-main slot for their sake.

“This is for the fans and the millions who doubt me. I put my back against the wall all for them. SEE Y’ALL JULY 12th!!,” he declared. So, as it turns out, Shakur Stevenson has accepted the co-main event for the fans. However, it is still a baffling situation given how ‘The Sugar’ was a hot prospect under Riyadh Season. So why the apparent downgrade? Are recent tensions with Saudi boxing broker Turki Alalshikh the reason?

Turki Alalshikh was going back on his promise

A few days ago, Shakur Stevenson and the Saudi royal got involved in a brief fallout over financial terms misunderstandings. The drama kicked off when Zepeda’s promoter, Oscar De La Hoya, revealed that the Newark native had pulled out of the Zepeda fight.

Stevenson quickly hit back on X, calling out Alalshikh for allegedly reneging on promises. “Crazy thing is, on my soul, I would cook dude [Zepeda] so badly, he’s a mismatch,” he wrote. But he revealed the sticking point: Riyadh Season offered him a smaller purse than what he earned for his fight against Josh Padley. “I want this fight so bad that these dudes want to take advantage of me by giving me way less than I got for Padley just because they know how bad I want it!” he wrote.

It looks like both camps have sorted out those misunderstandings. However, there still remains some animosity. These details are merely speculations. What do you think? Let us know your thoughts down below.