Eddie Hearn Frozen Out by Turki Alalshikh as Shakur Stevenson Vows to Make Zepeda Pay After Matchroom Exit

Based on reports filtering in, it appears Shakur Stevenson‘s dream run with Matchroom Boxing, which began last year, has come to an end. The precise reasons behind the purported separation remain unclear. Rumors continue to swirl. If true, the fallout comes shortly after his much-anticipated fight with William Zepeda was confirmed. The new arrangement suggests Stevenson is now seemingly enlisting Lou DiBella‘s help.

At this stage, it’s difficult to pinpoint the exact fault line. However, renowned boxing insider Rick Glaser offered a hint. While discussing the report, he mentioned that Eddie Hearn may have ‘fallen out of favor’ with Turki Alalshikh. For those in the know, recent weeks saw Stevenson, who made his Riyadh Season debut in February, go public with his disappointment over the offer made for the Zepeda fight. Expressing a desire to let bygones be bygones and start afresh, he later apologized to the team. And now, he and Eddie Hearn appear to be going their separate ways. So, how do we connect the dots?

“Let’s clarify & denounce some boxing rumors with the facts. And the facts are as follows,” Rick Glaser made it clear. He began by citing the recent departure of Edgar Berlanga from the Matchroom ranks. Countering rumors that Berlanga had signed with Al Haymon‘s PBC, he clarified, “Edgar Berlanga did leave Eddie Hearn, but he did not sign with PBC.”

Lets clarify, & denounce some Boxing rumors, with the facts. And the facts are as follows.

Edgar Berlanga did leave Eddie Hearn, but he did not sign with PBC. Berlanga is a promotional free agent, & will remain so for now. Keith Connolly remains the Manager.

Shakur Stevenson…

— Rick Glaser (@RealRickGlaser1) April 20, 2025

Glaser explicitly mentioned that Berlanga remains a free agent, with Keith Connolly as his manager. He then affirmed that Shakur Stevenson has indeed left Matchroom: “Shakur Stevenson has left Eddie Hearn,” he said, adding that the lightweight champion might now be working with Lou DiBella for a ‘fight by fight’ deal.

He concluded, “Eddie Hearn has fallen out of favor with @Turki_alalshikh. Rightfully so.”

Eminent boxing journalist Dan Rafael also reported similarly. “In reporting on the July 12 card with Shakur-Zepeda, a source with knowledge of specifics told me Shakur split from Matchroom,” he said. It now appears Lou DiBella will promote the upcoming bout against Golden Boy’s Zepeda. “James Prince, his manager, has hired Lou DiBella as his promoter for the event to handle things on their behalf.”

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