By Gee Bino | The Who Dat Daily

Shakur Stevenson has never possessed more leverage—or faced more uncertainty—than he does right now.

The unbeaten four-division champion holds the WBO and Ring junior welterweight titles after dismantling Teofimo Lopez at Madison Square Garden. He has also signed a multi-fight agreement with Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing.

What Stevenson does not have is an official opponent or confirmed return date.

That vacancy has created a storm of challenges, rumors and social-media exchanges. Devin Haney, Raymond Muratalla, William Zepeda, Jose “El Rayo” Valenzuela and O’Shaquie Foster have all entered the conversation in one form or another.

However, each potential fight comes with promotional, financial or weight-related complications.

Shakur Stevenson’s Current Status

Stevenson enters the next phase of his career with a perfect 25–0 record and 11 knockouts.

On January 31, he moved to 140 pounds and produced one of the finest performances of his career against Lopez. Stevenson controlled the fight with his jab, footwork and timing before earning a unanimous decision.

All three judges scored the contest 119–109. The victory gave Stevenson the WBO and Ring junior welterweight championships and made him a world champion in four weight classes.

Stevenson landed 119 punches compared to 50 for Lopez, according to the reported CompuBox totals. It was not simply a victory. It was a demonstration of Stevenson’s ability to neutralize an elite opponent over 12 rounds.

The performance strengthened Stevenson’s case as one of boxing’s top pound-for-pound fighters.

Category	Current status
Record	25–0, 11 knockouts
Age	28
Division	Junior welterweight
Championships	WBO and Ring 140-pound titles
Last fight	UD victory over Teofimo Lopez
Last fight date	January 31, 2026
Promoter	Zuffa Boxing
Next opponent	Not officially announced

What Does the Zuffa Boxing Deal Change?

Stevenson signed a multi-fight deal with Zuffa Boxing in July, becoming the most accomplished boxer on the promotion’s developing roster.

The agreement gives Dana White and Zuffa a legitimate pound-for-pound attraction around whom they can build major events. However, the promotion has not announced Stevenson’s debut opponent or return date.

ESPN described Stevenson’s arrival as a landmark signing for Zuffa Boxing.

That partnership should provide Stevenson with significant financial backing, increased promotional visibility and access to other fighters joining Zuffa’s roster.

It could also complicate negotiations with champions attached to rival promoters or broadcast partners.

Stevenson wants legacy fights. Zuffa wants major events that justify its investment. The next opponent must satisfy both interests.

Option No. 1: Devin Haney

The biggest available fight is Shakur Stevenson versus Devin Haney.

Haney currently holds the WBO welterweight championship. His ordered defense against Keyshawn Davis collapsed after Davis rejected his share of an $8.55 million purse bid.

Top Rank won the bid. Haney was scheduled to receive 75%, or approximately $6.41 million, while Davis would have earned 25%, or roughly $2.14 million. The case returned to the WBO’s championship and ratings committees after Davis withdrew, according to Reuters.

The failed bout reopened the door for Stevenson.

When Bill Haney addressed the situation online, Stevenson responded directly:

“Come collect I been waiting.”

The most interesting part of Stevenson’s challenge was what he did not include. He made no reference to the previously discussed 144-pound catchweight.

Haney’s side had pushed for a fight at the full 147-pound welterweight limit. Stevenson’s latest response appeared to suggest that he might be willing to remove the catchweight obstacle.

That does not mean an agreement is close. The two camps must still resolve the division, title implications, purse split, promotional rights and broadcast arrangements.

Nevertheless, Haney represents the largest commercial opportunity.

Both men are undefeated. Both are multi-division champions. Both have debated their superiority for years. A victory would carry legitimate pound-for-pound significance.

Verdict: Haney is the best business and legacy option, but probably the most difficult fight to finalize.

Option No. 2: Raymond Muratalla

Raymond Muratalla may be the most logical championship opponent.

Muratalla retained the IBF lightweight title with a dominant unanimous decision over Robson Conceicao. He won by scores of 118–110 and 119–109 twice, but acknowledged that making the 135-pound limit had become increasingly difficult.

That weight struggle creates two possible paths.

Stevenson has expressed interest in returning to lightweight to fight Muratalla for the vacant Ring championship. Stevenson remains The Ring’s No. 1 contender at 135, while Muratalla is ranked No. 2.

The complication is Muratalla’s IBF title. The organization requires fighters to weigh no more than 10 pounds above the division limit during its morning-of-fight weight check.

Trainer Robert Garcia has indicated that the restriction makes another lightweight fight physically demanding for Muratalla. Moving to 140 may be the safer long-term decision.

If Muratalla leaves lightweight, he could eventually emerge as a challenger for Stevenson’s WBO junior welterweight title.

That process has not been finalized. WBO president Gustavo Olivieri said Muratalla could potentially become Stevenson’s mandatory challenger during October or November, but emphasized that the championship committee had not made a decision.

Therefore, Stevenson does not currently have an officially ordered November defense against Muratalla.

Verdict: Muratalla is the cleanest competitive option, especially if both men agree to fight at 140 pounds.

Option No. 3: William Zepeda II

A rematch with William Zepeda may produce the most fan-friendly fight.

Stevenson defeated Zepeda by unanimous decision in July 2025. The official scorecards read 118–110 twice and 119–109, but the action was more competitive than those numbers suggested.

Zepeda forced Stevenson to fight at a higher pace than usual. His relentless pressure created exchanges and required Stevenson to prove that he could remain composed while operating under constant physical stress.

Stevenson later acknowledged that Zepeda was among the most demanding opponents of his professional career.

Zepeda has now rebuilt his position by defeating Lamont Roach Jr. for the vacant WBC lightweight championship. He won by scores of 117–111 twice and 118–110, improving to 34–1 with 27 knockouts.

The victory gave Zepeda leverage to pursue a unification at 135 or attempt to avenge his only professional defeat.

A rematch could take place at lightweight or junior welterweight. However, Zepeda may prefer to remain at 135 and pursue additional championships before moving up.

Verdict: Zepeda II is marketable and stylistically appealing, but the new WBC champion may have other priorities.

Option No. 4: Jose “El Rayo” Valenzuela

Jose Valenzuela has attempted to place himself directly into the Stevenson sweepstakes.

Valenzuela recently avenged his previous loss to Edwin De Los Santos with a first-round knockout. He has argued that his combination of power, counterpunching and southpaw angles would create problems for Stevenson.

Stevenson was not impressed.

He dismissed Valenzuela’s challenge and pointed to his one-sided defeat against Gary Antuanne Russell. Stevenson’s position was clear: one impressive knockout does not erase the inconsistencies on Valenzuela’s résumé.

Valenzuela is under the Zuffa Boxing umbrella, which makes the fight easier to arrange from a promotional standpoint. However, Stevenson currently sees him as a fighter who must earn a championship opportunity.

Verdict: Easy promotional fit, but Stevenson does not currently view Valenzuela as a worthy opponent.

What About O’Shaquie Foster?

WBC junior lightweight champion O’Shaquie Foster has also called for a fight with Stevenson.

Foster retained his title against Raymond Ford and immediately targeted his former sparring partner. The two exchanged words inside the ring, creating interest in a potential grudge match.

Stevenson has not completely rejected the idea. Instead, he wants Foster to move from 130 to 135 pounds and defeat a legitimate lightweight opponent first.

“I would love to fight him,” Stevenson said, while explaining that Foster must establish himself at lightweight before receiving full credit as an opponent. The Ring reported Stevenson’s response.

That stance makes sense. Foster would be moving up at least one division, while Stevenson already holds titles at 140.

Verdict: An interesting rivalry, but not the strongest immediate option.

The WBO Question

Stevenson cannot leave the WBO title inactive indefinitely.

The sanctioning body will eventually determine his mandatory challenger. Muratalla has been mentioned as a possible candidate if he moves to junior welterweight, but no formal order has been issued.

Stevenson could request permission to pursue a unification or major commercial fight. Sanctioning organizations frequently allow champions to delay mandatory defenses when a significant bout is available.

A Haney fight could qualify because of its commercial value, even though it would occur above Stevenson’s current division. However, Stevenson might have to vacate or receive special approval if he chooses to remain at welterweight afterward.

Returning to lightweight creates another problem. Stevenson can pursue The Ring championship at 135, but doing so does not satisfy his responsibilities as the WBO champion at 140.

The weight-class decision must come before the opponent decision.

Ring Kings Take: Who Should Stevenson Fight?

The priority list should be clear:

1. Devin Haney
2. Raymond Muratalla
3. William Zepeda
4. Jose Valenzuela
5. O’Shaquie Foster

Haney offers the biggest event and the most meaningful legacy victory. It would settle a rivalry that has existed for years and establish the winner near the top of boxing’s pound-for-pound hierarchy.

If Haney cannot be secured, Muratalla is the smartest alternative. He is undefeated, holds the IBF lightweight championship and could challenge Stevenson at either 135 or 140.

Zepeda brings familiarity, pressure and guaranteed action. Valenzuela and Foster are credible future opponents, but neither should move ahead of Haney, Muratalla or Zepeda.

The social-media exchanges have created attention. Now Stevenson and Zuffa Boxing must turn that attention into a signed contract.

Stevenson has conquered four divisions. His next challenge is proving that his new promotional partnership can consistently deliver the elite opponents his talent deserves.

---

Gee Bino is a senior writer and columnist for The Who Dat Daily, covering the New Orleans Saints, Pelicans, LSU athletics, boxing, and the Gulf South sports landscape. He specializes in roster construction, player development, business strategy, and breaking news coverage.

Tank Davis Return: Latest News & 2027 Fight Timeline

William Zepeda Overwhelms Lamont Roach to Win WBC Title