Shakur Stevenson says Zuffa Boxing has granted his release without a fight

Shakur Stevenson says Zuffa Boxing has agreed to release him, ending his association with the promotion without him having fought under its banner. According to BBC Sport, the unbeaten American announced on his YouTube channel that a request to leave had been accepted over the weekend. Zuffa had not commented on his account at the time of the report.

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The 29-year-old signed with Zuffa in July and had been discussing a bout against Devin Haney, the WBO welterweight champion. Those talks appear to have stalled, BBC Sport reported. Stevenson described himself as a free agent, although confirmation of the release from the promotion was still absent from the BBC's account.

Stevenson said he had spent approximately eight weeks in training camp for bouts he had been told would take place, only for those plans not to materialise. He expressed frustration about his inactivity since joining the organisation, but said he was not blaming anyone for the situation and regarded it as part of boxing's business.

His proposed next step is to establish his own promotional company. Stevenson said he was prepared to collaborate with other promoters and wanted to work with people who shared his commitment to his career. That plan would give him a different route to arranging fights after his brief, inactive spell with Zuffa.

Inside the ring, Stevenson remains unbeaten through 25 professional contests. His most recent appearance brought victory over fellow American Teofimo Lopez and made him a world champion in a fourth weight division. A meeting with Haney had offered a route towards pursuing a championship in a fifth division.

For now, Stevenson says his intention is to defend his WBO light-welterweight title. He still plans to move to welterweight in the coming years, placing an immediate defence of his existing belt ahead of that longer-term ambition.

Zuffa is backed by Saudi Arabian investment and led by Dana White and UFC owners TKO. Stevenson was among its prominent recruits, alongside Conor Benn. BBC Sport reported that Benn has boxed twice for the promotion, with his second appearance ending in a quick knockout loss to Ryan Garcia last month.