Shakur Stevenson has publicly ruled out facing Jose “Rayo” Valenzuela in his first fight after signing with Zuffa Boxing.
The unbeaten four-division world champion had been linked to Valenzuela following his move to Dana White’s promotion, but Stevenson made clear that the matchup will not happen.
“I’m turning the fight down publicly right now,” Stevenson said. “Shakur will not be fighting Rayo. That will not be happening.”
Instead, Stevenson said he wants one of boxing’s biggest names next and insisted that his Zuffa deal will not limit him to in-house opponents.
“Hopefully my next fight is with Devin Haney,” Stevenson said. “Or, hopefully, it’s Gervonta Davis. Now is the time to fight, so let’s do it.”
Haney, however, appears more likely to face mandatory challenger Keyshawn Davis in a WBO welterweight title defense, while Gervonta Davis is expected to remain sidelined until early 2027.
Image Credit: The Ring