Bradley tied that valuation to reported purchase numbers, claiming 1.2 million homes were purchased in Stevenson’s recent event. That figure would put Stevenson in rare territory. However, industry observers have not widely confirmed numbers at that level, and unofficial tracking has typically placed his pay-per-view performance below that mark.
If Bradley’s estimate is accurate, Stevenson is underpriced. If it is inflated, the financial risk grows rapidly. The way to reduce that risk is obvious: Ryan Garcia.
Bradley was blunt about the formula. “You have to get the Latinos. That’s the solution. Race drives everything. Period.”
Garcia brings a large Mexican-American following, established pay-per-view history and reach beyond hardcore boxing audiences. A Stevenson vs. Garcia rivalry sells identity, contrast and cultural heat. This is the type of event that supports a $30 million guarantee.
Without Garcia, the equation changes. Stevenson is an undefeated multi-division champion and an elite technician, but he has often been described as a purist’s appeal rather than a mainstream commercial engine. Bradley challenged that perception, pointing to Stevenson’s ESPN ratings and his ability to evoke Madison Square Garden.
“Shakur was the main attraction. He averaged higher ratings than any other fighter, period,” says Bradley.
Even if those comparisons are debated, the underlying issue remains: valuation depends on scale. A fight with Conor Benn might work in the UK, but it doesn’t automatically translate into huge US pay-per-view revenue. For a company trying to establish boxing credibility in the US, that distinction is significant.
Bradley also predicted a long-term commercial climb for Stevenson, suggesting that beating Garcia could lift him into another earner. “You have a chance to be bigger than Terence Crawford. You have a chance to reach that Mayweather level and surpass Mayweather.”
These are ambitious talks, and they rely on future negotiations that have not been concluded. Stevenson is currently aligned with Matchroom Boxing, complicating any immediate signing scenario. Any Zuffa entry is likely to require collaboration rather than a simple acquisition.
Bradley’s argument, stripped of hype, is about pricing and opponent selection. If Garcia is insured, $30 million becomes an aggressive but defensible investment. If Garcia isn’t part of the picture, that number looks more like speculation than strategy. And in boxing, speculation is expensive.
