Oscar De La Hoya, Zepeda’s promoter from Golden Boy Promotions, told Eddie Hearn, Shakur Stevenson’s promoter, during his Clap Back Thursday post that a key condition for the fight is the use of a “tiny ring” to discourage “running.” De La Hoya specifically suggested this measure to prevent fighters—especially Stevenson and Devin Haney—from avoiding close exchanges. However, before this bout can be confirmed, Zepeda (31-0, 27 KOs) must first secure a win in his 10-round matchup against Tevin Farmer (33-6-1, 8 KOs) on November 16th in Riyadh. If Zepeda wins, and all other fighters agree to the smaller ring size, the February 22nd event will proceed.
While De La Hoya didn’t specify the exact dimensions, he may push for a 16-foot ring, the minimum allowed in professional boxing. This setup would hinder Stevenson’s ability to use his signature footwork and step-back moves to create distance, potentially putting him at a disadvantage against Zepeda’s pressure. For Stevenson, losing in a smaller ring might give him a built-in explanation for fans, who could sympathize if he claims he didn’t have the space to maneuver. Nonetheless, Zepeda’s skills at cutting off the ring mean he could pose serious challenges regardless of the ring size.
Fans, however, are divided on whether a smaller ring will truly limit Stevenson’s movement. One fan on social media remarked, “Ring size doesn’t matter. MF [Shakur] is still going to run.”
Stevenson, who recently underwent hand surgery after an injury that canceled his October 12th fight against Joe Cordina, has faced challenges in the 135-lb division since his successful runs at 126 and 130 lbs. Many are curious to see if he can overcome these new hurdles, including adapting to Zepeda’s relentless style in a restricted space.
