So, here’s the scoop, or my take on it, rather. Shakur Stevenson, the WBC lightweight top dog, is supposedly getting lined up for a summer showdown with the interim titleholder, William Zepeda. This chatter comes from Eddie Hearn, the maestro behind the scenes, playing matchmaker. And he sounds pretty pumped, saying, “Everybody wants the fight.” I mean, who wouldn’t want to see these guys slug it out?
But let’s rewind a bit—Eddie seems to have this game plan, you see? After Shakur deals with Zepeda, he’s setting his sights on Gervonta Davis, or “Tank” as the cool kids say. It’s like that’s been the whole idea since Eddie snagged Shakur into his Matchroom squad way back in August 2024, perhaps because a Tank fight means major moolah. Could be just a cash grab, not that anyone admits it outright.
Now, here’s a twist: nobody’s saying what happens if the Tank brawl doesn’t pan out. Maybe Eddie will try to get Ryan Garcia or Devin Haney into the ring with Shakur, which, honestly, sounds like a stretch. Everyone’s got a laundry list of who they’d rather battle, let’s face it.
And, ah yes, the murmurings of money woes. Shakur (who’s rocking a clean 23-0, by the way) was apparently daydreaming of getting showered in cash, right? But the Saudi fortune he was banking on for fighting Zepeda (33-0, in case you’re counting) might just be an illusion now. What a bummer. Maybe he hoped for a record payday, but nada.
Now, Zepeda isn’t gonna take peanuts for this fight. Why would he, when he’s already a hit on the networks? Shakur thought the Saudis would make it rain for him, but poor guy, he can’t wrap his head around it not happening unless he lowballs Zepeda. And that’s, well, kinda awkward.
Shakur’s even grumbled online about getting offered less than what he got driving Josh Padley into the ropes. Throw Zepeda into the mix as a wild card with loads of risk? Oh boy, bad deal if Shakur’s walking away with crumbs.
Funny thing, Eddie’s going around saying stuff like, “Everybody wants the fight,” and, honestly, who am I to argue? Seems they’re all pulling out the stops for this Shakur vs. Zepeda clash fest. Kind of a win-win if it happens, especially if Eddie can lock it in during the summer shuffle. Makes sense because these fighters are dynamite, and a big ol’ fight like this is sure to light up the scene. I guess we’re all just holding out to see if Shakur’s truly the best in the lightweight circus. And if he’s got Zepeda under his belt, Tank’s next, or so Hearn hopes.
Ah, boxing man—always full of surprises. Or headaches.
