Thu Sep 12 00:39:30 UTC 2024: ## WBC Lightweight Champion Shakur Stevenson Out for 2024 with Hand Injury, Fight with Joe Cordina Postponed

WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson will miss the rest of 2024 after undergoing surgery on his right hand. The injury, a torn tendon, occurred during training camp and forced Stevenson to withdraw from his highly anticipated October 12 fight with Joe Cordina.

Stevenson announced the surgery and his recovery timeline on Instagram, expressing his determination to return in 2025.

Matchroom Boxing, Stevenson’s new promoter, confirmed the injury and surgery. Eddie Hearn, head of Matchroom Boxing, stated that Stevenson is expected to be ready to fight in early 2025.

The postponement is a major blow to both Stevenson and Cordina, as the fight was the first of a two-fight deal Stevenson signed with Matchroom. The bout was seen as a key step in pushing Stevenson’s career to the next level.

Cordina, who is coming off a TKO loss in his last fight, is unlikely to find a fight that pays as well as the Stevenson fight. He may choose to wait for Stevenson’s return, potentially making the fight a part of a massive boxing card in January or February.

The October 12 card, now without the Stevenson-Cordina fight, still features the undisputed light heavyweight championship bout between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol. The card also includes Chris Eubank Jr. vs. Kamil Szeremeta, Fabio Wardley vs. Frazer Clarke, Skye Nicolson vs. Raven Chapman, and Mohammed Alakel vs. Jesus Gonzalez.

While the Beterbiev-Bivol fight is a major attraction, the lack of an American star like Stevenson makes the card less appealing globally. Matchroom may look to add another fight to replace the Stevenson-Cordina bout.

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