A clash for the WBC lightweight title, which became vacant following Shakur Stevenson’s victory over Teofimo Lopez, has reportedly been confirmed.
Stevenson moved up to 140lbs and became a four-weight world champion in January, producing a dominant performance to unanimously outpoint Lopez for the WBO strap.
The American had previously made three successful WBC title defences at 135lbs, but was ultimately stripped of the belt shortly after defeating ‘The Takeover’.
As a result, the vacant title is set to be contested by Lamont Roach and William Zepeda, who has not fought since his unanimous decision defeat to Stevenson last July.
Back then, Zepeda maintained a typically high punch output but was convincingly outclassed by the generational talent in his first attempt at world honours.
Roach, meanwhile, is coming off back-to-back draws against Isaac Cruz and Gervonta Davis, who was considered fortunate to retain his WBA title in March 2025.
After a failed attempt to rematch Davis, the American then entered another lightweight outing, this time against Cruz in December, when far less controversy surrounded their majority draw.
Having remained unbeaten since 2019, Roach is now set to face Zepeda for the vacant WBC lightweight title, as reported by BoxingScene’s Lance Pugmire on social media.
“The WBC vacant lightweight title will be decided by Lamont Roach and William Zepeda [on August 1] on DAZN in Las Vegas. Told that effort is to take it to [Mandalay Bay Resort].”
Confirmed by @boxingscene: The WBC vacant lightweight title will be decided by @OneOf1x Lamont Roach Jnr and William Zepeda Aug. 1 on @DAZNBoxing @boxingontnt in Las Vegas. Told that effort is to take it to @MandalayBay.
— Lance Pugmire (@pugboxing) May 15, 2026
Zepeda and Roach are ranked No.1 and No.2 by the WBC, respectively, while the sanctioning body’s ‘interim’ lightweight title is currently held by unbeaten Cuban Jadier Herrera.
