In a surprising turn of events, Shakur Stevenson has been stripped of his WBC lightweight title, and the news has already sparked considerable debate among boxing fans. The World Boxing Council (WBC), based in Mexico City, made this announcement via its official website and social media platforms on Wednesday. The organization cited a specific rule which prohibits champions from holding titles from different sanctioning bodies simultaneously in weight classes that do not correspond to the divisions where they currently hold WBC belts.
Stevenson, boasting an impressive record of 25 wins and no losses with 11 knockouts, recently achieved a significant milestone by claiming The Ring and WBO junior welterweight titles from Teofimo Lopez during a high-stakes match at Madison Square Garden in New York. This victory marked him as a champion across four different weight classes, showcasing his remarkable talent and versatility.
Following his win, the former featherweight, junior lightweight, and lightweight champion from Newark, New Jersey, expressed his intentions to either defend his newly acquired Ring and WBO belts in the 140-pound division or make a return to the 135-pound class if the right opportunity arose. However, at the time of this report, it remained unclear why Stevenson was not granted additional time to determine his preferred weight class for future fights.
In a series of posts on X, Stevenson revealed that his decision to refuse payment of a $100,000 sanctioning fee to the WBC related to his fight with Lopez was the main reason behind his title being revoked. He argued that since there was no WBC belt contested during the bout, it made little sense for him to pay such a hefty amount to the organization.
“Why would I pay $100,000 to some crooks who don’t deserve it?,” Stevenson wrote. “I’d rather give that money to my daughter, Leilani. The WBC had nothing to do with this fight, and now they’re upset about it. Take your belt; it doesn’t affect me.”
Furthermore, Stevenson hinted at the ongoing feud between the WBC and his close friend and mentor, Terence Crawford. Crawford had publicly criticized WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman for demanding a staggering $300,000 sanctioning fee for his title fight against the renowned Canelo Alvarez on September 13 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The retired five-division champion declined to pay this fee, partly because it exceeded what other sanctioning bodies like the IBF, WBA, or WBO charged for their championship contests.
“I just paid these guys after my last fight,” Stevenson continued. “So why am I handing over another $100,000 now? Just because y’all have a problem with Bud? That’s not going to happen.”
Despite this setback, Stevenson showcased his skills and dominance in the ring by outclassing Lopez, who is regarded as one of the most talented fighters he has faced throughout his eight-year professional career. The 2016 Olympic silver medalist employed a strategic jab, effectively managing distance and controlling the pace of the fight during "The Ring 6" main event. All three judges scored the bout identically at 119-109 in favor of Stevenson.
At 28 years old, Stevenson had previously claimed the WBC lightweight title in November 2023, overcoming injuries to his hand and shoulder while defeating the formidable Edwin De Los Santos. Critics were vocal about Stevenson's cautious fighting style that night, yet he still secured a unanimous decision victory at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, with scores of 116-112, 116-112, and 115-113.
He successfully defended his WBC lightweight title three times, with his latest defense occurring on July 12 at Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens, New York. Determined to silence skeptics who accused him of playing it safe, Stevenson engaged in a fierce battle with William Zepeda, ultimately winning decisively (119-109, 118-110, 118-110).
Currently, Cuba’s Jadier Herrera, holding an impressive record of 18 wins and 16 knockouts, is recognized as the WBC’s interim lightweight champion, but he was not elevated to full champion status following Stevenson’s title strip. Meanwhile, Zepeda, who suffered defeat to Stevenson six months prior, remains the WBC's number one lightweight contender.
As we delve deeper into the implications of this development, one can only wonder: Did the WBC make the right call in stripping Stevenson of his title? What do you think about the hefty fees imposed by sanctioning bodies? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!
