Stevenson–Cordina Reached the Schedule, Then a Hand Injury Struck
Shakur Stevenson’s proposed meeting with Joe Cordina advanced beyond preliminary talks in August 2024. Matchroom announced the WBC lightweight championship contest for October 12 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as part of the card headed by Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.
A championship booking in Riyadh
The announcement accompanied Stevenson’s promotional agreement with Matchroom. He was unbeaten in twenty-two professional fights, with ten stoppages, and had already won championships in three divisions. The Cordina matchup was presented as the opening contest of that new promotional chapter.
Cordina brought his own championship experience from super featherweight. The planned fight would move him into a lightweight title challenge against a champion known for southpaw technique and defensive control. It placed two established names in a different divisional setting rather than matching unbeaten prospects at the start of their careers.
Surgery ends the October plan
The October contest did not happen as scheduled. In September, the WBC confirmed that Stevenson had suffered a hand injury and undergone emergency surgery, preventing him from making the defense. Stevenson reported that the procedure had gone well and described it as a setback to his intended return.
The sequence therefore moved from discussion to an official booking before the injury intervened. Matchroom’s August announcement established the planned date and championship, while the WBC’s September notice explained why the defense could not proceed. The canceled assignment remained part of their 2024 schedules rather than a completed contest with a winner, and the title opportunity never reached the ring on that card.
Sources
- matchroomboxing.com: shakur stevenson signs promotional deal with matchroom boxing
- wbcboxing.com: shakur stevenson unable to defend world title
Article Tags
Stevenson–Cordina Reached the Schedule, Then a Hand Injury Struck, Boxing, Combat sports
