Shakur vs. Zepeda: Promoter Reveals Potential Location

Matchroom Boxing chairman Eddie Hearn has revealed where the potential bout between full WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson and interim WBC titleholder William Zepeda could take place.

“We had an agreement to stage the fight in Saudi Arabia. Obviously, there’s potential to hold Stevenson vs. Zepeda in the U.S. The funding originally allocated for Saudi might now be redirected to make the fight happen stateside.

From our side, we’re 100% ready. We’re not ducking the fight. It’s been sanctioned by the WBC. So if anyone’s avoiding it, it’s Shakur — but he certainly won’t turn it down. It’s a fantastic matchup. It matters for both fighters.

I’m in talks with DAZN and hope we can get this fight made. We get past Zepeda, and then it’s time to go after Gervonta Davis. The fight should happen wherever it can generate the biggest gate, and to me, that’s the U.S.

There’s been a lot of activity in Saudi Arabia, and they do offer a participation bonus. But that could shift. The purses there differ from what’s paid for fights in the U.S., simply because Saudi-based funding is higher than for their international events,” said Hearn.

As a reminder, the WBC had previously ordered Shakur to defend his title against William Zepeda.