Shakur Stevenson vs. Joe Cordina bout reportedly set

Shakur Stevenson vs. Joe Cordina has reportedly been agreed for October 12 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 

The news follows after Eddie Hearn had confirmed talks were underway. Reports initially indicated that the fight could take place in February. This would be on a potential Terence Crawford vs. Vergil Ortiz Jr. card. But with that fight looking unlikely, Stevenson will now appear on the Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol card when they box for the Undisputed Light Heavyweight Championship. 

Shakur is a free agent after leaving Top Rank. A fight with Cordina allows him to remain active and set up a potential Gervonta Davis fight next year, where he would be free to negotiate without being tied down by a promoter. Cordina is a former  BF Super Featherweight Champion. He lost the belt in his last bout after getting knocked out by Anthony Cacace in the eighth round.

Stevenson Vs. Cordina

However, he must move up to 135 to face Shakur for his WBC Lightweight Title. Stevenson won the vacant belt with a unanimous decision win against Edwin De Los Santos. The performance resulted in boos from the crowd due to Shakur’s defensive style.

The same happened against Artem Harutyunyan in Shakur’s prior bout, with some fans leaving before the end of the final round. If Shakur wants the biggest fights, he must put on more eventful performances. The WBC had ordered him to face William Zepeda, but that is unlikely, with Golden Boy Promotions appearing reluctant to make that fight. That has left Shakur to face Cordina. 

“There is an agreement for Shakur Stevenson vs Joe Cordina on October 12 at the Beterbiev vs. Bivol evening in Saudi Arabia. Shakur has signed only this fight with Matchroom because he wants to be free in 2025 and negotiate with Gervonta Davis,” Julius Julianis said 

Davis Vs. Stevenson

If Shakur wins and secures the Tank Davis fight, Davis’ trainer, Kenny Ellis, does not see it as a 50-50 bout. Both boxers are undefeated and hold titles. Shakur has the WBC belt, while Davis has the WBA title. Their styles, however, contrast.

Davis is known for stopping opponents with his one-punch knockout power. There are times when he may be outboxed in the earlier rounds before finding his range to get the stoppage. Shakur is known for being a slick boxer with a good defense. But unlike Tank, his punch power is a lot less. Ellis felt that could be the difference. 

“They can’t be 50-50 if Tank can punch and Shakur can’t punch. They both can box. And] they both got a great IQ. Let’s say Tank is behind and he got to get himself out of trouble, and that motherf-----’s hammer is going to get him out of trouble. Now let’s say Shakur’s behind and he got to get himself out of trouble. How he going to get himself out of trouble? He don’t have no hammer. So they’re not 50-50. They can’t be 50-50,” Ellis said