The WBC on Monday commenced a 30-day negotiating period for lightweight titleholder Shakur Stevenson and interim titleholder William Zepeda to strike a deal for an anticipated clash of unbeatens.

If the sides cannot agree to a contract by May 6, the bout will head to a purse bid – with Stevenson, a three-division titleholder from New Jersey, receiving a 70/30 purse split in his favor, according to an official unauthorized to speak publicly on the matter because of the sensitivity of the talks.

Over the weekend, Stevenson, 23-0 (11 KOs), railed on social media about being offered a purse by Saudi Arabia’s Turki Alalshikh that one individual said was $2 million less than what Stevenson was originally extended when a Zepeda bout was broached last year. 

“Turki promised me a number and now he’s going way back on that number that he promised me and sending his Towel boys to run me the info instead [of] telling me straight up what [he’s trying to] do. [I don’t bow] down to nobody,” Stevenson wrote, adding a message to Zepeda’s promoter: “Mr. [Oscar] De La Hoya, now let’s negotiate.”

Mexico’s volume-punching Zepeda, 33-0 (27 KOs), is coming off a tightly contested majority decision victory over Tevin Farmer on March 29. Zepeda was previously the consensus No. 1-ranked lightweight contender among all four sanctioning bodies.

De La Hoya told BoxingScene Monday that finances will decide if the fight gets made.

“What will be telling is the money. That’s all that Shakur cares about – his split,” De La Hoya said. 

“We want the fight. It’s just so ironic that we have it on the table [through Saudi Arabia] and he pulls out because the money is not right. It’s the most money he’s ever made.

“Show the world who you are instead of coming across as a duck.”

Stevenson is promoted by Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing. His elusive style and rapid footwork and punching would make for a compelling contrast with Zepeda’s 82% knockout ratio.

“Shakur Stevenson is a great fighter,” De La Hoya said. “I would advise him to take the most money he’s ever made for a fight and try to prove his greatness against his best opponent yet.”