Three-division titleholder Shakur Stevenson injured his right hand and has been forced to pull out of his upcoming WBC lightweight title defense against Joe Cordina.
The fight was slated as the co-feature to the Ring/undisputed light heavyweight championship between Artur Beterbiev-Dmitry Bivol at the Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on October 12.
The precociously talented American hurt his right hand in training. Stevenson (22-0, 10 knockouts) had surgery at the Surgical Center of the Rockies to repair tears to his sagittal band and collateral ligament on Wednesday.
“I am definitely disappointed that I won’t be able to fight on October 12,” Stevenson said in a press release. “I have been super sharp and feeling great in camp and was planning to put on a show next month against Joe Cordina. But I have to listen to the doctor and have these injuries fixed immediately so that I can come back stronger than ever at the start of 2025.”
I appreciate @Turki_alalshikh and @EddieHearn for the Amazing opportunity to fight on Riyadh season card, Unfortunately my hand gave out on me but 2025 Let’s bounce back and takeover boxing #ChasingGreatness
— Shakur Stevenson (@ShakurStevenson) September 12, 2024
It is believed Stevenson will now go straight to a mandatory defense against William Zepeda. Their bout is targeted for next February, provided Zepeda defeats Tevin Farmer on November 16.
A new opponent is being sought for Cordina as this goes to publication.
Questions and/or comments can be sent to Anson at elraincoat@live.co.uk.
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