Eddie Hearn confirms Shakur Stevenson-William Zepeda talks

SANTA MONICA, Calif. – Promoter Eddie Hearn, confirming a Tuesday BoxingScene report that three-division champion Shakur Stevenson has verbally agreed to negotiate a fight with consensus top-ranked lightweight contender William Zepeda, said he’s in discussions to stage the fight alongside Saudi Arabia’s powerbroker, Turki Alalshikh.

“His Excellency is a huge fight fan and he understands great fighters and he knows how good Shakur Stevenson is,” Hearn told BoxingScene Tuesday at the Santa Monica Pier grand arrivals for Alalshikh’s stacked Riyadh Season-sponsored card coming Saturday at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.

A boxing official connected to the talks told BoxingScene Tuesday that the elusive Stevenson (22-0, 10 KOs) could likely defend his World Boxing Council lightweight belt against Mexico’s destructive Zepeda (31-0, 27 KOs) on the Oct. 12 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia card headlined by the undisputed light-heavyweight bout between unbeaten Russians Artur Beterbiev and Dmitrii Bivol.  

“There would be interest in Riyadh Season to look at a Shakur Stevenson against Zepeda fight. In my conversations with (Stevenson’s co-managers) James Prince and Josh Dubin, they’re happy for me to explore that,” Hearn said, clarifying that Stevenson is not signed with Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing less than one month after the fighter’s contract with Top Rank expired.

“I’m not bothered about getting pen to paper. I think we can all work together well as a team,” Hearn said. “I think we’re the right place for him. I think I’m the right promoter for him. I think he’s got a brilliant team with James Prince and Josh Dubin, who I’ve known for a long time.

“Collectively, we can be a powerhouse for Shakur. If a deal can get done with Zepeda, fantastic. He’s the right fight. When you’re around His Excellency – and this week, he’s here – he likes to do a lot of business. We’re hoping that’s the type of business he wants to do.”

Hearn said Stevenson is planning to attend Saturday’s card, headlined by his friend Terence Crawford seeking a fourth division belt against World Boxing Association junior-middleweight champion Israil Madrimov. 

On Tuesday’s episode of ProBox TV’s “Deep Waters,” veteran trainer and Hall of Fame broadcaster Teddy Atlas said he frets about whether Zepeda can execute a winning fight plan against the complex, fast and brilliant Stevenson who’s “made a living off guys that come forward.”

Atlas said he’s seen it frequently enough during 50 years of watching fights – how speedy technicians can dissect the aggressive fighter seeking to punish the evasive peer.

“My concern is the same as it was for Mayweather versus Pacquiao – is it all aces or is it a mirage?” Atlas asked.

“A guy like Zepeda on paper – fighting the level of guys he’s been fighting – you get excited. I’m excited. He’s tough. He gets to you. He imposes his will and physicality upon you.”

Yet, Atlas cautions, “You’ve got to have more than that against a guy who’s going to take you apart, piece by piece.

“I don’t know if there’s time to do it, but (Zepeda) needs to feint more and get rid of that predictability. It’s not going to be effective aggression if it’s predictable aggression. He’ll be walking into (Stevenson’s) counterpunches all night long.”

Atlas preached Zepeda to employ subtle, evasive tactics while moving and dipping punches to the body to eliminate his habits.

“So (Stevenson) doesn’t pick you apart and pot-shot you all night long.”

First, the pair need to common ground by formally agreeing to financial terms.