“Great Talent, but Not for Me”: Oscar De La Hoya Passes on Signing Shakur Stevenson for One Key Reason
Oscar De La Hoya, the renowned “Golden Boy,” has recently made headlines for a surprising decision. As the number one contender from his stable, William Zepeda, secured another impressive victory, talks of a potential match with Shakur Stevenson intensified. However, De La Hoya’s latest move has left the boxing world buzzing with intrigue and speculation.
The Build-Up: Zepeda vs. Stevenson
William Zepeda, known as “Camaron,” has been climbing the ranks with a series of dominant performances. On the same day Zepeda clinched his latest win, Shakur Stevenson, the Newark-born southpaw, successfully defended his title against Artem Harutyunyan. This victory marked Stevenson’s final fight under the Top Rank banner, making him a free agent and a hot prospect for various promotions, including De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions.
A Surprising Turn of Events
Despite the buzz surrounding a possible Zepeda-Stevenson showdown, De La Hoya stunned fans and analysts alike by expressing his reluctance to sign Stevenson. During his regular segment, “Thursday Clap-Out,” De La Hoya didn’t hold back. He challenged the WBC’s mandate for a Stevenson vs. Zepeda fight, questioning the practicality of such orders given past precedents like the unmaterialized Canelo Alvarez vs. David Benavidez bout.
Michael Benson read, “The WBC have now officially ordered Shakur Stevenson to defend his WBC lightweight world title vs William Zepeda next.”
De La Hoya Draws the ‘Golden’ Line
De La Hoya’s skepticism wasn’t without reason. He cited the WBC’s history of ordered fights that never came to fruition, questioning the legitimacy of their recent directive. Despite the WBC’s insistence, De La Hoya seemed resolute, indicating that Zepeda had multiple options to consider for his next fight, putting the proposed Stevenson match in doubt.
The Rejection of Shakur Stevenson
In a candid address, De La Hoya acknowledged Stevenson’s talent but declared, “You’re a free agent; you’re a great fighter, great talent, but not for me.” He elaborated on his stance, expressing discomfort with Stevenson’s assertion that his actions and choices weren’t meant for the fans and followers. For De La Hoya, this was a significant red flag.
Adding to the intrigue, De La Hoya also dismissed rumors about Saudi interest in taking over boxing promotions. He assured fans that until approached, these rumors should be taken with a grain of salt.
Oscar De La Hoya stated, “You’re a free agent; you’re a great fighter, great talent, but not for me.”
Later, he also addressed the prevailing rumors, “that the Saudis are going to take over boxing and buy out every single promoter.” According to De La Hoya.
Stevenson’s Response and Future Prospects
Unsurprisingly, Shakur Stevenson didn’t remain silent. He took to social media to respond to De La Hoya’s comments, suggesting that the Golden Boy was merely reacting to his prior decision not to join Golden Boy Promotions. The back-and-forth added a layer of drama to an already complex situation.
The Road Ahead: Negotiations and Challenges
As it stands, the WBC has given the camps of Stevenson and Zepeda until August 20 to reach an agreement. If they fail to do so, the fight will move to a purse bid, with a 70/30 split favoring Stevenson. This puts additional pressure on both camps to negotiate terms that are mutually beneficial.
Stevenson’s defensive style, while effective, has recently come under scrutiny. His victory over Harutyunyan was followed by a series of Twitter exchanges where he defended his approach against critiques from former champions like Ishe Smith, Marcus Browne, and Andre Berto. Despite his undeniable skill, these controversies highlight the challenges Stevenson faces in winning over both promoters and the broader boxing community.
A Potential Transatlantic Move?
Reports suggest that Stevenson recently declined a $15 million five-fight extension deal from Top Rank, indicating his desire for greater flexibility and potentially more lucrative opportunities. With De La Hoya out of the picture, speculation now turns to whether Stevenson might follow Jaron Ennis’ lead and join Matchroom Boxing across the pond.
Oscar De La Hoya’s decision to pass on Shakur Stevenson has certainly stirred the pot in the boxing world. As negotiations continue and the August 20 deadline approaches, all eyes will be on Stevenson and Zepeda to see if a deal can be struck. The unfolding drama underscores the complexities of modern boxing promotions, where talent, marketability, and personality all play crucial roles in shaping careers.
