Four-weight world champion Shakur Stevenson says Zuffa Boxing has granted his release without him fighting for the promotion.
The unbeaten American, 29, announced the development on his YouTube channel. He said he requested the release and received approval over the weekend.
“I requested to be released from Zuffa Boxing,” Stevenson said. He joined the Dana White-led promotion in July but grew frustrated while waiting for a fight.
Stevenson said he spent about eight weeks in training camp preparing for bouts that never happened. Discussions about facing World Boxing Organisation (WBO) welterweight champion Devin Haney have not produced a contest.
Read: Conor Benn Fights Rejected, Eddie Hearn Claims
However, Stevenson expressed no anger towards the promotion and declined to blame anyone. Instead, he plans to start his own promotion while remaining open to working with other promoters.
Zuffa Boxing had not commented on his claimed departure. Stevenson remains unbeaten after 25 professional fights. In his most recent outing, he defeated Teofimo Lopez to become a world champion in a fourth weight division.
Read: Jake Paul Stunned by Pedro Conceição’s Brutal Knockout at Boxing Event
The New Jersey boxer had hoped a Haney bout could bring a fifth divisional title. For now, he intends to defend his WBO light-welterweight championship before moving up to welterweight in the coming years.
