Stevenson’s promoter Yvon Michel has now confirmed to WBN the news that has been making the media rounds over the last few days as ‘Superman’ plots the unification of the light-heavyweight division under a new TV banner.
With IBF champion Bernard Hopkins and WBA king Beibut Shumenov meeting on Showtime for their respective belts next month, Michel says Stevenson’s switch has thrown him right in the mix to clash for the all three titles.
Stevenson left HBO with this message from Michel:
“First we want to thanks HBO for the ride with Adonis in 2013. They gave him his first chance and they have raised him to the star status. We only have great comments for all HBO’s executive with whom we have worked very well and have established great relationship.
“I had presented what I believed was an excellent multi fight deal offer to Adonis from HBO with a deadline set for March 11th for approval. After discussions we have decided to pass and we got a better offer Showtime.
“HBO had the right to match any offers so we sent them a copy. They had until today to match it but have decided otherwise. This was pure business decision for all parties involved, nothing personal or immoral.
“We wish to praise M. Steven Espinoza of Showtime for his ambition to do business Adonis and GYM, which was reflected into the offer he has presented, we are thankful to him. We are looking forward for a fruitful association. Adonis Stevenson was the fighter of the year for many websites and publications in 2013 and feels he should be treated that way.
“His goals are to keep fighting and winning spectacular fights by knockout, to unify the light heavyweight titles and raised his recognition to the top five pound for pound this year.
“The next step is May 24th at the Montreal Bell Centre against young #1 IBF/WBO and #3 WBC contender Andrzej Fonfara.”
All talk prior to Stevenson’s move was of a two-belt battle with WBO belt holder Sergey Kovalev, as both had their ties to HBO and the fight would have been easy to make. Given these recent developments, that fight looks further away than ever, although Michel pointed out that Stevenson would have no problem resurrecting the hard-hitting encounter in the future.
“Although everything is confirmed and Adonis’s next fight will be on Showtime, Adonis’s goals are to unify all titles and he will fight Kovalev if the opportunity arises,” Michael exclusively revealed to World Boxing News.
“But for the moment he will focus on Fonfara and making a successful debut on Showtime,” he added.
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