Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Shakur Stevenson

Discover the career path of Shakur Stevenson, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Shakur Stevenson is a highly accomplished American professional boxer, recognized for winning world championships across three weight divisions, from featherweight to lightweight, including the WBC lightweight title in 2023. His boxing career began with a notable amateur stint, highlighted by winning a silver medal in the bantamweight division at the 2016 Summer Olympics representing the United States. Stevenson's skill and achievements have established him as a prominent figure in contemporary boxing.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2014: AIBA Youth World Championships and Summer Youth Olympics

In 2014, Shakur Stevenson had a successful youth boxing career, winning the AIBA Youth World Championships and the Summer Youth Olympics.

2015: Qualified for the 2016 Summer Olympics

In 2015, at the age of 18, Shakur Stevenson won the U.S. Olympic trials, securing his spot on the U.S. boxing team for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

2016: First 2016 Rio Olympics Team USA male fighter to win a world title

In 2016, Shakur Stevenson became the first 2016 Rio Olympics Team USA male fighter to win a world title.

2016: 2016 Summer Olympics

In 2016, Shakur Stevenson represented the United States at the Summer Olympics and won a silver medal in the bantamweight division.

2016: Silver Medal at Rio Olympics

In 2016, Shakur Stevenson won a silver medal at the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, losing to Robeisy Ramírez in the gold medal match, and was the highest-medaling male boxer for the United States.

February 9, 2017: Turned Professional

On February 9, 2017, Shakur Stevenson officially turned professional, signing a promotional contract with Top Rank and enlisting Andre Ward as his manager.

April 22, 2017: First Professional Fight

On April 22, 2017, Shakur Stevenson won his first professional fight against Edgar Brito via a fifth-round technical decision after Brito suffered cuts from headbutts.

May 20, 2017: Madison Square Garden Debut

On May 20, 2017, Shakur Stevenson debuted at Madison Square Garden, winning his bout against Carlos Suarez in the first round.

August 19, 2017: Third Professional Bout

On August 19, 2017, Shakur Stevenson fought his second straight Argentine opponent, David Michel Paz, and won by outpointing him over 6 rounds.

December 9, 2017: Fight against Oscar Mendoza

On December 9, 2017, Shakur Stevenson fought against Oscar Mendoza at the Madison Square Garden Theater.

2018: Fight against Juan Tapia

In 2018, Shakur Stevenson outpointed Juan Tapia, winning 80-72 on all three judges' scorecards. He demonstrated defensive improvements in the fight.

August 2019: WBO Featherweight Title Fight Ordered

In August 2019, the WBO Championship Committee ordered Shakur Stevenson to fight Joet Gonzalez for the vacant WBO featherweight title, which was previously held by Óscar Valdez.

June 9, 2020: Super Featherweight Debut

On June 9, 2020, Shakur Stevenson made his super featherweight debut, defeating Felix Caraballo via 6th round KO in Las Vegas. The fight drew a peak audience of 609,000 viewers.

July 9, 2020: Vacated WBO Title

On July 9, 2020, Shakur Stevenson vacated his WBO title without a single defense as he moved up to the super featherweight division.

November 2020: Fight against Toka Khan Clary Announced

In November 2020, Top Rank announced that Shakur Stevenson would fight Toka Khan Clary on December 12 at The Bubble at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

April 2021: Fight against Jeremiah Nakathila Announced

In April 2021, it was announced that Shakur Stevenson would next fight Jeremiah Nakathila on June 12, 2021, at The Theater at Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas.

June 12, 2021: Fight against Jeremiah Nakathila

On June 12, 2021, Shakur Stevenson fought Jeremiah Nakathila at The Theater at Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas.

September 2021: Challenging Jamel Herring for WBO Title

In September 2021, it was announced that Shakur Stevenson would challenge Jamel Herring for the full WBO junior lightweight title on October 23 at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.

January 16, 2022: Negotiations for Unification Bout with Óscar Valdez

On January 16, 2022, negotiations began for a unification bout between Shakur Stevenson and WBC champion Óscar Valdez.

September 23, 2022: Stripped of Titles

On September 23, 2022, Shakur Stevenson was stripped of his WBC, WBO, and Ring titles after missing weight for his fight against Robson Conceição.

November 9, 2022: WBC Orders Title Eliminator

On November 9, 2022, the WBC ordered Isaac Cruz to face Shakur Stevenson in a lightweight title eliminator.

January 11, 2023: Shuichiro Yoshino Agrees to Fight

On January 11, 2023, Shuichiro Yoshino accepted the WBC's order to fight Shakur Stevenson after other contenders declined.

April 8, 2023: Defeated Shuichiro Yoshino

On April 8, 2023, Shakur Stevenson defeated Shuichiro Yoshino via sixth-round technical knockout at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, earning a shot at the WBC lightweight title.

July 2023: Harutyunyan's last defeat

In July 2023, Artem Harutyunyan had his last defeat by Frank Martin via unanimous decision in Las Vegas.

August 26, 2023: WBC Orders Title Fight Against Frank Martin

On August 26, 2023, the WBC ordered Frank Martin to face Shakur Stevenson for the vacant lightweight title.

November 16, 2023: Championship Bout Against Edwin De Los Santos

On November 16, 2023, Shakur Stevenson faced Edwin De Los Santos for the vacant lightweight title at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada.

2023: Became WBC Lightweight Champion

In 2023, Shakur Stevenson held the World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight title.

July 6, 2024: Defense against Artem Harutyunyan

On July 6, 2024, Shakur Stevenson defended his WBC lightweight title against Artem Harutyunyan at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, marking his last bout under Top Rank.

August 2024: Signs with Matchroom Boxing

In August 2024, after turning down a $15 million deal with Top Rank, Shakur Stevenson became a free agent and subsequently signed a promotional deal with Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing. It was also announced that he would fight Joe Cordina in October 2024.

September 11, 2024: Fight Cancellation Due to Injury

On September 11, 2024, it was announced that Shakur Stevenson suffered a hand injury, leading to the cancellation of his scheduled fight against Joe Cordina at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which was to take place on October 12, 2024.

September 2024: Schofield Pulled from Fight

In September 2024, during fight week, Floyd Schofield was pulled from the card due to illness after his trainer and father alleged he was poisoned, and was later hospitalized. Josh Padley was confirmed as Shakur Stevenson's replacement opponent. Schofield requested testing by VADA to prove he had been poisoned.

October 2024: Scheduled Fight Against Joe Cordina

In October 2024, Shakur Stevenson was scheduled to make the second defense of his title against Joe Cordina at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. However, the fight was later cancelled due to Stevenson's hand injury, announced on September 11, 2024.

October 2024: Scheduled Fight on Beterbiev vs. Bivol Undercard

In October 2024, it was announced that Shakur Stevenson was scheduled to fight Joe Cordina on the undercard of the Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol fight, following his promotional deal with Matchroom Boxing.

November 2024: Zepeda's Victory and Potential Fight

In November 2024, William Zepeda defeated Tevin Farmer, keeping him on track to potentially challenge Shakur Stevenson. A date in February 2025 was considered likely for the Stevenson vs. Zepeda fight.

January 11, 2025: Stevenson's Comments at Ring Magazine Awards

On January 11, 2025, at the Ring Magazine awards ceremony, Shakur Stevenson acknowledged Floyd Schofield's hunger for a world title but expressed confidence in his own experience and intelligence as keys to winning their potential fight.

February 2025: Potential Fight in Jeopardy

In February 2025, the proposed fight between Shakur Stevenson and William Zepeda in Saudi Arabia was in jeopardy due to an injury to Zepeda's left arm. Floyd Schofield offered to take Zepeda's place, prompting negotiations for a potential Stevenson vs. Schofield fight.

February 22, 2025: Stevenson vs. Schofield Fight Official

On December 2, Riyadh Season officially announced that Shakur Stevenson would fight Floyd Schofield for the WBC lightweight title on February 22, 2025, at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

April 2025: Stevenson vs. Zepeda Fight Ordered

In April 2025, talks resumed for a potential fight between Shakur Stevenson and William Zepeda, with Oscar De La Hoya aiming for a summer bout. The WBC formally ordered the fight on April 8, and The Ring announced a doubleheader in New York City on July 12 where Stevenson was to defend his WBC title against Zepeda, exclusively on DAZN. Veteran promoter Lou DiBella was assisting Stevenson in making the fight happen.

2025: Plans for William Zepeda Fight

In 2025, Shakur Stevenson expressed his desire to fight WBC lightweight mandatory challenger William Zepeda at the beginning of the year, following his promotional deal with Matchroom Boxing.