Shakur Stevenson’s Alleged $5 Million Payout for Joe Cordina Fight Sparks Controversy: What’s the Real Deal?
Shakur Stevenson is set to step back into the ring, aiming to prove his critics wrong as he faces off against Joe Cordina on October 12th at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The fight, which will serve as the co-main event on the Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol card, has generated significant buzz, not just for the match-up itself but for the staggering payday that Stevenson is rumored to be receiving.
Reports have surfaced suggesting that Stevenson, who recently signed with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing, will be pocketing a whopping $5 million for the fight. This news comes as a shock to many, especially considering Stevenson’s recent performances, which some fans and analysts have criticized as lackluster.
However, not everyone is buying into the hype. Boxing insider Rick Glaser was quick to voice his skepticism on social media, stating, “Great for Shakur, but anyone that would pay Shakur $5 million to fight a Joe Cordina type should let someone else negotiate for them.” Glaser’s comments reflect a broader sentiment in the boxing community that Stevenson’s drawing power may not justify such a hefty payday, especially against an opponent like Cordina.
Adding fuel to the fire, Marcos Villegas of Fight Hub TV poured cold water on the $5 million figure, labeling it as “fake news.” In a revelation that has stirred even more debate, Villegas claimed that Eddie Hearn himself denied the $5 million figure, though he stopped short of disclosing the actual amount. “Shakur Stevenson is NOT making $5 million for the Cordina fight. That was fake news. Wouldn’t tell me the exact amount but said it’s a lot,” Villegas tweeted, leaving fans to speculate on the true nature of Stevenson’s purse.
The uncertainty surrounding Stevenson’s earnings has sparked a flurry of reactions online. One fan queried Villegas, asking, “So was it more or less than $5 million?” Villegas responded cryptically, “More than three but less than five,” which only deepened the mystery.
Glaser wrote, “Great for #Shakur, but anyone that would pay Shakur 5 million to fight a Joe Cordina type should let someone else negotiate for them.”
However, Marcos Villegas of Fight Hub TV has refuted the initial reports, claiming that it is “fake news”. Citing a revelation from Eddie Hearn himself, Villegas said, “Shakur Stevenson is NOT making 5 million for the Cordina fight. Says that was fake news. Wouldnt tell me exact amount”
While the exact figure remains a topic of speculation, one thing is clear: Stevenson’s fight will be a pay-per-view event on DAZN, a platform known for broadcasting high-stakes bouts. Meanwhile, the main event featuring Beterbiev vs. Bivol will be available on ESPN+ at no additional cost to existing subscribers.
The debate over Stevenson’s marketability and the wisdom of such a lucrative deal has also drawn comments from notable figures in the boxing world. Oscar De La Hoya, the legendary boxer turned promoter, weighed in with his own reservations about Stevenson’s appeal. De La Hoya, who once hailed Stevenson as the “greatest fighter” he had ever seen, ultimately decided not to sign him to Golden Boy Promotions. His reason? Stevenson’s perceived lack of excitement in the ring.
Thereafter, responding to a user who asked, “So was it more or less than 5m?”, Villegas stated, “More than three but less than 5.”
Although Oscar De La Hoya hailed Stevenson as the “greatest fighter” he had ever seen,
“Shakur Stevenson, you’re a free agent, you’re a great fighter, great talent, but not for me. I believe that when somebody says ‘I’m not fighting for the public,’ I cannot promote (them),” Oscar De La Hoya said on X.
“He has to be able to sell tickets. His boxing style is not that friendly to sell tickets but I think that William Zepeda vs. Shakur Stevenson is a huge fight,” De La Hoya said bluntly.
“Shakur Stevenson, you’re a free agent, you’re a great fighter, great talent, but not for me,” De La Hoya stated on social media. He went on to explain that he believes Stevenson’s style is not conducive to selling tickets, a crucial factor in the business of boxing. “He has to be able to sell tickets. His boxing style is not that friendly to sell tickets,” De La Hoya bluntly remarked.
This sentiment was further reflected in De La Hoya’s hesitation to pit one of his top fighters, William Zepeda, against Stevenson. While acknowledging the potential of a Zepeda vs. Stevenson showdown, De La Hoya suggested that Stevenson would need to show more aggression and willingness to engage in his upcoming bouts to make such a fight marketable.
As the countdown to October 12th continues, the pressure is on Stevenson to not only win but to do so in a manner that silences his critics and justifies his rumored payday. Will he rise to the occasion, or will the doubts surrounding his marketability continue to overshadow his in-ring achievements? Only time will tell.
