WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson has pulled out of his fight against Wales’ Joe Cordina on 12 October after having surgery on his hand.

The three-weight champion was scheduled to make the second defence of his lightweight belt after beating Artem Harutyunyan in July.

“Unfortunately my hand gave out on me but in 2025 let’s bounce back and take over boxing,” Stevenson wrote on X.

Stevenson and Cordina were set to meet in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on the undercard of the undisputed light-heavyweight world-title fight between Russians Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.

The American has an unbeaten record in 22 fights, including 10 stoppages.

Stevenson, 27, signed a promotional deal with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom in August.

Hearn, who also promotes Cordina, described Stevenson as one of the “pound-for-pound greats”.

Cordina was preparing to make an ambitious step up to lightweight after tasting defeat for the first time in his career.

The 32-year-old lost his undefeated record and IBF super-featherweight title against Northern Ireland’s Anthony Cacace in May.

Cordina would have been one of three Britons challenging for a world title on the card next month.

Raven Chapman faces fellow undefeated fighter and defending WBC featherweight champion Skye Nicholson, while Jack Massey meets Australian IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia.

There is also a highly anticipated rematch between British rivals Fabio Wardley and Frazer Clarke.

Wardley, 29, will defend his British heavyweight title against Olympian Clarke, 33, after their thrilling first fight ended in a split-decision draw in March.

Meanwhile, Chris Eubank Jr, takes on Kamil Szeremeta in a middleweight bout and light-heavyweight prospect Ben Whittaker will attempt to extend his unbeaten record to nine at the expense of Liam Cameron.