WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson was set to face Joe Cordina on October 12th, but the match was canceled after Shakur sustained a hand injury while training. He underwent immediate surgery. The co-feature fight between Chris Eubank Jr. and Kamil Szeremeta might take the headline spot on the card, which is priced at $14.99 on PPV, although this has yet to be confirmed. Shakur is expected to return to the ring in 2025, with no mention of rescheduling the fight with Cordina.
Speculation has arisen among fans that Matchroom Boxing reconsidered the Shakur vs. Cordina fight due to negative feedback. Eddie Hearn had recently signed Shakur to a two-fight deal with the goal of developing him into a “global superstar.” However, the matchup with Cordina seemed to fall short of fan expectations.
Shakur expressed disappointment about the cancellation and vowed to come back stronger in 2025. The originally planned fight failed to excite fans, leading to suggestions for a different opponent for Shakur’s next bout. Eddie Hearn had mentioned a possible matchup with William Zepeda in February, but Shakur’s injury may require revising those plans.
Given the lackluster response to the Shakur-Cordina fight, securing a more attractive opponent for Stevenson would be prudent. Cordina’s lack of recognition among casual fans and concerns from hardcore fans about his recent knockout loss raised doubts about the original matchup. Meanwhile, the main event showcasing light heavyweight champions Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol will be shown on ESPN+.
Updates on the Stevenson-Cordina fight have circulated on social media, with many sending well wishes for Shakur’s recovery. The cancellation has spurred conversations about Shakur’s next adversary, with a preference for a well-known contender familiar to the U.S. audience.
