Shakur Stevenson’s upcoming fight against Joe Cordina on the DAZN PPV undercard of the Beterbiev vs. Bivol event has stirred up controversy among boxing fans. The decision to feature Stevenson on the pay-per-view platform has received backlash due to his lack of popularity and the underwhelming nature of the matchup. Cordina, coming off a recent loss, is not a well-known name outside of hardcore boxing circles in the U.S. This has raised concerns about the potential low PPV numbers for the fight.
Split Network Broadcast and Criticism
The split network broadcast of the event, with Stevenson-Cordina on DAZN PPV and Beterbiev vs. Bivol on ESPN+, has further fueled criticism. While the highly anticipated undisputed championship fight between Beterbiev and Bivol will be part of the regular ESPN+ subscription, fans will have to pay extra to watch Stevenson’s tune-up fight. This has led to disappointment among viewers who were primarily interested in the main event.
When the event was initially announced, the focus was on the clash between Beterbiev and Bivol, with fans eager to see the two light heavyweight champions face off. The addition of Stevenson vs. Cordina on the DAZN PPV undercard was met with skepticism and disinterest from many spectators. The perception that Stevenson’s fight is a filler on the undercard has overshadowed the overall excitement for the event.
In addition to the Stevenson-Cordina matchup, the undercard fights featured on the DAZN PPV event, such as Chris Eubank Jr. vs. Kamil Szeremeta and the rematch between Frazer Clark and Fabio Wardley, have also been criticized for lacking star power and significance. These fights are viewed as mere stepping stones or stay-busy matchups rather than compelling contests that add value to the overall event.
Overall, the decision to include Shakur Stevenson’s fight against Joe Cordina on the DAZN PPV undercard of the Beterbiev vs. Bivol event has generated negative feedback and raised concerns about the event’s appeal to a broader audience. The controversy surrounding the split network broadcast and the underwhelming nature of the undercard fights have overshadowed the anticipation for the main event, highlighting the challenges of balancing star power and matchmaking in boxing promotions.