History of Shakur Stevenson in Timeline

Shakur Stevenson is an American professional boxer who has achieved significant success in the sport. He has held world championships in three different weight classes, showcasing his versatility and skill. As of 2023, he holds the WBC lightweight title. Before turning professional, Stevenson represented the United States at the 2016 Summer Olympics, where he earned a silver medal in the bantamweight division, marking an early achievement in his boxing career.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

June 28, 1997: Ash-Shakur Nafi-Shahid Stevenson Born

On June 28, 1997, Ash-Shakur Nafi-Shahid Stevenson was born. He later became a professional boxer.

Others born on this day/year

2014: AIBA Youth World Championships & Summer Youth Olympics

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

2015: U.S. Olympic Trials Winner

In 2015, at the age of 18, Stevenson won the senior U.S. Olympic trials, qualifying for the U.S. boxing team at the 2016 Summer Olympics.

2016: Rio Olympics

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

2016: Silver Medal at Rio Olympics

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

February 9, 2017: Turns Professional

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

April 22, 2017: First Professional Fight

On April 22, 2017, Stevenson won his first professional fight against Edgar Brito via a fifth-round technical decision, showcasing his agility and punching skills.

May 20, 2017: Madison Square Garden Debut

On May 20, 2017, Stevenson made his Madison Square Garden debut, winning against Carlos Suarez in the first round.

August 19, 2017: Victory over David Michel Paz

On August 19, 2017, Shakur Stevenson outpointed David Michel Paz over six rounds in Lincoln, Nebraska, continuing his winning streak.

December 9, 2017: Fight Against Oscar Mendoza

On December 9, 2017, Stevenson was scheduled to fight Oscar Mendoza at Madison Square Garden Theater.

July 1, 2018: Stevenson Arrested for Misdemeanor Assault

On July 1, 2018, Shakur Stevenson was arrested and charged with misdemeanor assault following an altercation in a South Beach parking garage.

2018: Victory over Juan Tapia

In 2018, Stevenson defeated Juan Tapia by unanimous decision, displaying defensive improvements and body work.

June 18, 2019: Stevenson Agrees to Deal to Drop Charges

On June 18, 2019, Shakur Stevenson agreed to a deal where the charges would be dropped after one year of probation and 50 hours of community service after an arrest in 2018. He had already paid the victims' medical expenses.

August 2019: Ordered to Fight Joet Gonzalez

In August 2019, the WBO Championship Committee ordered Stevenson to fight Joet Gonzalez for the vacant WBO featherweight title.

June 9, 2020: Super Featherweight Debut

On June 9, 2020, Stevenson made his super featherweight debut, defeating Felix Caraballo via a 6th round KO.

July 9, 2020: Vacates WBO Title

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

November 2020: Fight Announced Against Toka Khan Clary

In November 2020, Top Rank announced that Stevenson would fight Toka Khan Clary on December 12 in Las Vegas.

April 2021: Fight Announced Against Jeremiah Nakathila

In April 2021, it was announced that Stevenson would fight Jeremiah Nakathila on June 12, 2021, in Las Vegas.

June 12, 2021: Fought Jeremiah Nakathila

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

September 2021: Challenge for WBO Junior Lightweight Title

In September 2021, Stevenson was announced to challenge Jamel Herring for the WBO junior lightweight title on October 23 in Atlanta, Georgia.

2021: Stevenson's Daughter Born

In 2021, Shakur Stevenson had a daughter.

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

On January 16, 2022, negotiations began for a unification bout between Stevenson and WBC champion Óscar Valdez, later confirmed for April 30.

September 23, 2022: Stripped of Titles

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

November 9, 2022: Ordered to Face Isaac Cruz

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

January 11, 2023: Fight Accepted by Shuichiro Yoshino

On January 11, 2023, Shuichiro Yoshino accepted the order to fight Stevenson after others declined.

April 8, 2023: Victory Over Yoshino

On April 8, 2023, Stevenson defeated Shuichiro Yoshino via a sixth-round technical knockout, earning a shot at the WBC lightweight title.

July 2023: Last Defeat of Harutyunyan

In July 2023, Artem Harutyunyan was last defeated by Frank Martin via unanimous decision in Las Vegas.

August 26, 2023: Ordered to face Frank Martin

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

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

On November 16, 2023, Stevenson fought Edwin De Los Santos for the vacant lightweight title at the T-Mobile Arena.

2023: WBC Lightweight Title

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

January 2024: Brief Retirement Announcement

In January 2024, Stevenson briefly announced his retirement from boxing at the age of 26.

July 6, 2024: First WBC Lightweight Title Defense

On July 6, 2024, Stevenson defended his WBC lightweight title against Artem Harutyunyan in Newark, New Jersey, winning by unanimous decision.

August 2024: Signs with Matchroom Boxing

In August 2024, Shakur Stevenson signed a promotional deal with Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing after turning down a deal with Top Rank.

September 11, 2024: Stevenson vs. Cordina Fight Cancelled 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, which was to be his second title defense.

September 2024: Padley Confirmed as Stevenson's Opponent

In September 2024, Josh Padley was confirmed as Shakur Stevenson's opponent after Floyd Schofield was pulled from the card due to illness.

October 2024: Stevenson vs. Cordina Fight Scheduled

In October 2024, Shakur Stevenson was scheduled to make his second title defense against Joe Cordina at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, before the fight was cancelled due to injury.

October 2024: Fight with Joe Cordina Announced

In October 2024, it was announced that Stevenson would fight Joe Cordina on the undercard of Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol.

November 2024: Zepeda on Course to Challenge Stevenson

In November 2024, William Zepeda defeated Tevin Farmer, positioning himself to challenge Shakur Stevenson, with a potential date in February 2025.

January 11, 2025: Stevenson Speaks at Ring Magazine Awards Ceremony

On January 11, 2025, at the Ring Magazine awards ceremony, Shakur Stevenson stated that he knew what it felt like being in Schofield's position, being young and hungry for a world title, and wanting to win. Stevenson said that he was too smart and had more experience and this would be his key to winning.

February 2025: Stevenson Fight in Jeopardy

In February 2025, the proposed fight between Shakur Stevenson and William Zepeda was in jeopardy after Zepeda suffered an injury to his left arm.

February 22, 2025: Stevenson vs. Schofield Official

On December 2, Riyadh Season announced that Shakur Stevenson vs. Floyd Schofield was official for the WBC lightweight title to take place February 22, 2025, at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.