Shakur Stevenson made a public apology to Turki Alalhikh on X, saying he’d “overreacted” with some things he’d recently noted about Turki on social media. Stevenson says, “Let’s work.” He hopes Turki will help him get the William Zepeda fight next.

WBC lightweight champion Stevenson (23-0, 11 KOs) feels he needs the Zepeda fight to improve his chances of getting the lucrative one against WBA champ Gervonta Davis. He believes that by beating Zepeda, it will open the door to a fight against Tank. It might not.

If Turki accepts Shakur’s apology, he could continue to place him on his Riyadh Season cards on DAZN PPV and allow him to fight whoever he wants. He wants Zepeda for starters.

Fan Backlash

Many fans on X want Turki to wash his hands of Shakur and not allow him back on any of his cards after showing his ingratitude. Turki let him fight an electrician on his February 22nd card, beating Josh Padley.

He could have played it tough, insisting that Shakur fight Jadier Herrera or one of the other top lightweight contenders. With Stevenson’s performance against Padley, he’d have lost to Herrera, Andy Cruz, or Raymond Muratalla.

It’s hard to know if Shakur’s apology to Turki was genuine or a strategic move in hopes that he’ll get the fight he wants against Zepeda. Given how desperate Stevenson is to fight Zepeda, it’s likely that he’s trying to weasel his way back into the fold with Turki, hoping he’ll bankroll all the fights he wants. Should Turki trust Shakur again or make him scat by giving him the back of his hand?

Shakur can get the fights he wants against Zepeda and Tank Davis with him. It might not go well for him once he gets in the ring with them, but at least he’ll get to fight them.

In the current situation, Stevenson won’t get either of those guys, and he’ll lose his WBC title when he defends it against #1 Andy Cruz. He’s a better fighter than Shakur. If Turki can deliver Zepeda and Tank, Shakur will make a lot of money fighting them. So, even if he loses, he’ll have made all that dough.

Excited about my next fight it was a misunderstanding between Turki and the team. My apologies on my part for over reacting 🦾 Let’s work @Turki_alalshikh

— Shakur Stevenson (@ShakurStevenson) April 17, 2025