Promoter Eddie Hearn says he wants WBC William Zepeda to be mandatory to be the next opponent for Shakur Stevenson if he were to overcome Tevin Farmer on March 29.
Hearn mentions that Zepeda (32-0, 29 COs) was part of his original three-match plan for Shakur (23-0, 11 cost) after signing him, and he still wants it to happen. The original road map Hearn had for Stevenson when he embarked on a contract with mathematics room was for him to take these battles in this order:
- Floyd Schofield
- William Zepeda
- Gevonta Davis
The Schofield match fell apart after moving with a disease last week, which it needed Hearn to look for a replacement. He chose Josh Padley, an additional contender for Josh Padley, who was a mistake on his part because he made Stevenson look like an average fighter in a loss attempt.
No Zepeda, what now?
Hearn wants to continue with its original plan to use Zepeda as a stone to get the tank fight, but it is unclear whether it will happen. Golden Boy -Boss Oscar de la Hoya has become silent about the battle between Zepeda and Shakur. It is understandable why.
Zepeda can make a lot more money to fight Tank Davis than against Stevenson, which is not a PPV attraction, and the fight will create very little fan interest. In addition, Shakur would run around the ring for 12 rounds like against Edwin de Los Santos, who played a child area. It is not interesting for fighters like Zepeda, Golden Boy or the supporters.
“I don’t think you’ll see him in the ring to the back of the summer, and we still want what we promised in the road map, which (William) is Zepeda,” Eddie Hearn told Chris Mannix’s YouTube channel about whom he wants Shakur Stevenson next.
The Padley Fiasco
Shakur’s surgically restored left hand was very swollen during the Padley fight, which forced him to use his right hand for most of his power punch. Although Stevenson could still use his left hand if he threw to the body, he couldn’t use it to throw at the head.
“I said I want Floyd Schofield, Zepeda and then Tank. If we go straight into the tank, this is not a problem either. We would like the Zepeda fight. I think Shakur is getting better and better. People are in line to criticize Shakur. He gave Josh Padley notice for three days, ”says Hearn, making excuses for Stevenson’s poor performance against electrician Padley.
Plan B required
Hearn should start thinking about using someone else for Shakur’s next opponent, because it is painfully clear that Golden Boy has no interest in fighting him against Zepeda. These are more realistic options for Shakur:
– Ernesto Mercado
– Andy Cruz
– Abdullah Mason
– Raymond Muratalla
– Edwin de Los Santos
“It wasn’t really an ideal situation to be in, and Padley could fight. It is very difficult when you are ready for a bad blood fight with Floyd Schofield, and then he is suddenly out. This man (Padley) flies in, and you’ve never really seen him. You look at a lot of footage. I thought it was a good show (from Shakur).
“He never broke a sweat (in his career). He feels that he is the best fighter in the world, and he wants to try to prove it. That was always the plan, ”Hearn said when asked what Golden Boy promotions said about the battle between Zepeda and Shakur Stevenson.
“Zepeda is a good fighter and when he comes through the Boer Rematch (on March 29), why not battle? You just wouldn’t do the fight if you don’t think you can win, and I get it. There is a lot of money at stake, and he is (Zepeda) the compulsory for the world title. So, hopefully that fight will be fought, ”says Hearn.
Last updated on 02/27/2025
