Manny Pacquiao still in mix for Joshua-Fury, but Shakur Stevenson destined for other card

The perception of bottomless pockets fueling Saudi Arabia’s investment in boxing is being cast in a different light with the move to exclude Shakur Stevenson from a proposed December 11 bout versus Manny Pacquiao.

After multiple individuals told BoxingScene recently of negotiations to stage a “double main event” pitting the generational pound-for-pound kings under the Anthony Joshua-Tyson Fury heavyweight showdown in Cardiff, Wales, the effort is now concentrated on Pacquiao in the co-main, and Stevenson moving to another card.

The push to include record eight-division champion Pacquiao, 62-8-3 (39 KOs), is coming from Netflix, which will stream the card, and Saudi Arabia’s events coordinator Sela, officials told BoxingScene.

Yet, financial restrictions apparently now apply when it comes to “paying two guys eight figures,” under the already steep prices going to two-time heavyweight champions Joshua and Fury.

The news, confirmed Saturday at a post-fight news conference in England by Zuffa Boxing head Dana White, confounded those involved in the talks. Pacquiao previously received an offer to fight Stevenson, then responded with a counteroffer, according to an official.

“All we ever heard was Shakur,” said an official close to Pacquiao.

Stevenson received one offer to fight Pacquiao and then it was removed, BoxingScene has learned.

When White said, “I don’t know where that came from,” regarding BoxingScene’s report of Pacquiao-Stevenson talks, the individual said the “serious” Pacquiao dialogue was with two Zuffa executives.

Earlier this year, White, who also serves as UFC CEO/President, welcomed the gifted and unbeaten U.S. Olympic silver medalist Stevenson, 25-0 (11 KOs), as the most high-profile addition to the Zuffa Boxing stable.

Powerful Saudi Arabia boxing financier Turki Alalshikh owns 60% of Zuffa Boxing, and as months of feuding has occurred between White and Joshua promoter Eddie Hearn over who’s promoting the Cardiff card, sending Stevenson, 29, into action against Pacquiao, 47, could’ve given White a bona fide spot on the stage.

“Why wouldn’t you want someone with the most powerful megaphone in this country, and in combat sports, helping to promote this card?” wondered one boxing official of White.

And while that official maintains Alalshikh is still empowered to employ White as a promotional voice for the card, Hearn counters his contract for the event stipulates Zuffa Boxing “or anyone affiliated” with the company will be excluded from promoting the biggest boxing show of the decade. 

As a Wednesday evening news conference nears in London, White will reportedly be sidelined.

In an effort to maximize its global audience for the card, Netflix officials have expressed that adding record eight-division champion and Hall of Famer Pacquiao can provide massive, continent-wide viewership from Asia and beyond given his worldwide, household-name standing.

Who he’ll fight is unknown. One connected official said it will not be IBF welterweight champion Liam Paro. Retired champion fighters Danny Garcia and Amir Khan have been proposed.

WBC welterweight Ryan Garcia asked to be pitted against Pacquiao, but his price tag could exceed Stevenson’s.

And that leads to the pressing question of what Zuffa Boxing does for Stevenson.    

After affirming his talent by dominating three-division champion Teofimo Lopez January 31 by unanimous decision, Stevenson hasn’t fought since, and logic would dictate the 29-year-old didn’t intend to strike the Zuffa deal only to be shelved for a year.

Some Zuffa candidates – former 140lbs champions Jose “Rayo” Valenzuela and Richardson Hitchins – can’t come near creating the brand boost that Pacquiao would. It was reported this week that WBA 140lbs champion Gary Antuanne Russell rejected an offer to fight Stevenson.

Other candidates for Stevenson could include three-division champion Devin Haney or unbeaten recent lightweight champion Raymond Muratalla.

In seeking to explain and defend his position in a recent post on “X,” Stevenson wrote, “U people can’t appreciate greatness.”

A fight against Pacquiao would’ve likely revealed Stevenson’s talents fully.

But as he’s learning, the people possessing boxing money aren’t always willing to part with it.