Shakur Stevenson addresses Turki Alalshikh's 'Tom and Jerry' statement with severe warning to William Zepeda

Shakur Stevenson heard His Excellency Turki Alalshikh's statement about not wanting to see "any more Tom and Jerry-type boxing matches" loud and clear.

During Tuesday's Ring III Grand Arrivals event at the Hard Rock Times Square in New York City, the WBC lightweight world champion addressed the words with a chilling warning to William Zepeda before their fight Saturday night, live on DAZN PPV.

"If you call me Jerry, then I'm whooping Tom's a—," Stevenson said to the media, prior to facing the challenge from the fellow undefeated Zepeda. "That's what I'm coming here for so Tom & Jerry, Jerry is whooping Tom's a— for sure."

This was in reference to Alalshikh taking to his X social media account last month and saying: "From this point on, I don’t want to see any more Tom and Jerry-type boxing matches where one fighter is running around the ring and the other is chasing him. We can longer support these kind of fights with Riyadh Season and The Ring."

At the time, fighters such as Devin Haney, William Scull, and Stevenson had all recently fought on Alalshikh cards, though His Excellency did not mention any names.

Stevenson (23-0, 11 knockouts), despite his supreme sweet science skills and pristine record, has often been criticized for his hit-and-don't-get-hit brand of boxing.

That has not stopped him from delivering lopsided decisions, with his latest victory — over Josh Padley — coming by the way of ninth-round TKO in February.

Zepeda (33-0, 27 KOs), the WBC interim lightweight titleholder, is coming off a pair of close decision wins over Tevin Farmer, having recorded a majority decision over the Philadelphia fighter in their March rematch.

Stevenson's comments Tuesday also included him vowing to put "belt to motherf—ing a—" this weekend against Zepeda.

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