Fans were thrilled to learn that Shakur Stevenson and William Zepeda are set for a July showdown. But just as the excitement began to settle, another newsflash hit like a bolt from the blue. Shakur Stevenson has parted ways with Eddie Hearn‘s Matchroom Boxing. Did the push for the Zepeda fight extract its price?

It’ll likely take some time before a full picture emerges. As updated by veteran journalist Dan Rafael and industry insider Rick Glaser, Stevenson will now be working with Lou DiBella for the upcoming event. From all indications, this isn’t a standard promotional contract but more of a ‘fight-by-fight deal,’ as Glaser later clarified. Still, many fans are left scratching their heads. After all, just weeks ago, Stevenson praised Hearn, even likening him to a ‘new-age Don King.’

Shakur Stevenson dumps Matchroom after one fight

Stevenson joined Matchroom Boxing following a lengthy run under Bob Arum‘s Top Rank. Reportedly, he turned down multiple offers. Apart from Top Rank’s five-fight deal worth $15 million, he snubbed both Oscar De La Hoya‘s Golden Boy Promotions and Floyd Mayweather‘s promotional outfit before signing with Hearn.

Initially, the plan was to kick off with a fight against Joe Cordina on the Beterbiev-Bivol card. However, that bout fell through after Stevenson sustained a hand injury during training. Talks of a February matchup with William Zepeda soon fizzled as well. Ultimately, Stevenson ended up fighting replacement opponent Josh Padley on February 22, scoring an easy victory. And just like that, his two-fight deal with Matchroom ended after a single appearance.

So what might have caused the rift? For one, there’s been no official word from either camp, so much of what’s known comes from sourced reports. The most credible explanations so far have come from veteran boxing insider Rick Glaser and renowned journalist Dan Rafael.

Both Glaser and Rafael reported that Shakur Stevenson has parted ways with Matchroom Boxing. They also noted that for the upcoming bout against William Zepeda, Stevenson’s team will bring in veteran promoter Lou DiBella on board.

Catching up on what led here

Spilling the beans on the update, Glaser added further that with DiBella, it’s ‘a fight-by-fight deal.’ But the boxing insider’s most poignant remark was as follows: “Eddie Hearn has fallen out of favor with @Turki_alalshikh. Rightfully so.”

That raises questions. Hearn and Riyadh Season were seen as close collaborators. So if there’s been a rift, how and when did it happen?

But going by the developments that took place during the last weeks, one may get some hint. According to Dan Rafael, the arrangement ‘worked out very well for’ Shakur Stevenson. Why? Because he’ll earn a mid-7-figure payday, between $4 million and $7 million, for facing William Zepeda, a mandatory challenger designated by the WBC. Thus, by bypassing a purse bid, which often puts control in the promoter’s hands, Stevenson secured better terms.

Most notably, Stevenson reportedly hired DiBella for a ‘flat fee,’ meaning a one-time payment rather than a long-term contract. This gives Stevenson more control and flexibility while ensuring he gets the lion’s share of the fight purse. As Rafael shared, he’ll be ‘a free agent after’ the fight.

Moreover, in hindsight, as he shared subsequently, the deal with Matchroom never seemed designed for the long haul. It began and ended with one fight.

As more details emerge, fans will be watching closely. Will Stevenson continue down the independent route, or will he align with a new promotional partner long-term?

What do you think? Did Shakur Stevenson make the right call by leaving Matchroom Boxing?