In a bold move that has sparked considerable debate, the World Boxing Council (WBC) has officially stripped Shakur Stevenson of his lightweight title. This announcement came from the organization based in Mexico City, shared through their website and various social media platforms on Wednesday. The WBC explained its decision by referencing a specific rule that prevents champions from holding world titles from different governing bodies in weight classes that are distinct from those in which they possess WBC belts.
Shakur Stevenson, boasting an impressive record of 25 wins and no losses, with 11 victories by knockout, recently added to his accolades by claiming The Ring and WBO junior welterweight titles after defeating Teofimo Lopez at Madison Square Garden in New York. His remarkable performance in that fight elevated him to the status of a four-weight world champion.
Originating from Newark, New Jersey, where he previously held titles in the featherweight, junior lightweight, and lightweight divisions, Stevenson expressed his willingness to defend his newly acquired 140-pound titles or return to the 135-pound category for a compelling matchup. However, as of the time of this report, the reasons behind why Stevenson was not granted additional time to determine his next weight class remain unclear.
In later remarks on social media platform X, Stevenson indicated that the WBC's decision to strip him was linked to his refusal to pay a hefty $100,000 sanctioning fee associated with his recent bout against Lopez. Notably, there was no WBC title on the line during that fight, leading many to question the rationale behind such a significant payment demand for a match that did not involve their championship.
"Why would I pay 100k to some crooks who don’t deserve it?" Stevenson questioned in his post. "Nah Leilani [his daughter], I’d rather give it to you, baby girl. The WBC didn’t even have anything to do with this fight, and it's eating them alive. Take your belt; it doesn’t faze me." These comments highlight Stevenson's frustration and dissatisfaction with the WBC's practices.
Moreover, Stevenson hinted at the WBC’s ongoing tensions with Terence Crawford, a close friend and mentor of his. Crawford openly criticized WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman for demanding a staggering $300,000 fee for his unanimous decision victory over Mexican boxing star Canelo Alvarez on September 13. The former five-division champion refused to comply with this request, noting that it exceeded the fees charged by other governing bodies like the IBF, WBA, or WBO for sanctioning the high-profile super middleweight championship bout.
Stevenson added to his comments, "And I just paid these guys after my last fight. Why should I give you all 100k right now? Just because you have issues with Bud, so you come after me for it?" This raises questions about the fairness and transparency of the WBC's financial demands on fighters.
Despite this controversy, Stevenson made a significant impression in his new weight class by showcasing his skills against Lopez, who many consider the most talented opponent he has faced in his eight-year career. The 2016 Olympic silver medalist effectively utilized his jab, controlled the distance and pace of the fight, and dominated throughout the matchup in the main event of "The Ring 6." Judges scored the bout unanimously in favor of Stevenson, each seeing it 119-109.
At the age of 28, Stevenson claimed the WBC lightweight title in November 2023, overcoming injuries to his hand and shoulder while defeating the formidable Edwin De Los Santos, who is known as a tough southpaw. Although critics pointed out his cautious fighting style, Stevenson secured the win via unanimous decision with scores of 116-112 across the board.
To further silence his detractors, Stevenson defended his title three times, with his most recent bout occurring on July 12. In a bid to prove his critics wrong regarding his risk-taking in the ring, he faced William Zepeda head-on and achieved a decisive victory on the undercard of "The Ring III," winning with scores of 119-109, 118-110, and 118-110.
Currently, the WBC has recognized Cuba's Jadier Herrera as the interim lightweight champion, but he was not promoted to the full champion status following Stevenson's removal. Meanwhile, Zepeda remains the number one contender in the lightweight division.
For more insights and updates on Stevenson's career and future fights, you can follow Keith Idec, a respected senior writer and columnist for The Ring, on X @idecboxing.
