Shakur Stevenson is guaranteed to pocket a whopping $5 million for his upcoming WBC lightweight title defense against Joe Cordina on October 12th in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Fans are expressing their discontent on social media regarding the substantial amount Stevenson will be earning, especially given that the fight will be featured on DAZN PPV. Despite being part of the undercard for Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol, which will be broadcast for free on ESPN+, Stevenson holds the spotlight as the main draw of the event.
Stevenson has taken to social media to underscore his current focus on seeking financial rewards in his career. However, if the DAZN PPV event fails to draw in viewers, it could impact Stevenson’s future earnings since he is the key fighter headlining the card.
Many fans are of the opinion that Stevenson’s $5 million paycheck is excessive considering the level of his opponent and his recent unimpressive showings. Cordina, who is coming off a knockout defeat in his previous fight, is being granted a title opportunity at 135 pounds without proving himself against other top contenders in the division.
Some supporters argue that fighters such as Raymond Muratalla, Andy Cruz, and William Zepeda would be more worthy of a shot at the title against Stevenson. They speculate that when Stevenson eventually faces Zepeda, his potential earnings could decrease in line with his performance inside the ring.
