Shakur Stevenson has reacted to the news that he has been stripped of his WBC Lightweight World title.
The 28-year-old pound-for-pound star moved up to super-lightweight this past weekend to relieve Teofimo Lopez of his WBO belt, putting in a truly exceptional performance to win almost every round on the scorecards.
Moving back down to lightweight is an option for the now four-division world champion, but if he does so, he will not be a champion there. In a statement released today, the WBC announced that the title Stevenson won back in November of 2023 has now been declared vacant.
“In light of Champion Stevenson now being the reigning WBO Super Lightweight World Champion and consistent with the WBC Rules & Regulations, the WBC has declared vacant its Lightweight World title.
“The WBC wishes Champion Stevenson continued success in all his future endeavors, both inside and outside the ring.
“The WBC will provide further information regarding the process to crown a new Lightweight World Champion in the near future.”
Despite the well wishes, Stevenson did not take the decision kindly. Responding on social media shortly after the announcement, he said:
“And I just paid these dudes after my last fight… What the hell [am I] giving y’all 100k right now for? Because y’all got beef with Bud so come at me for it.”
“100k to some crooks who don’t deserve it? Nah Leilani I rather give it to you baby girl… The WBC didn’t even have s–t to do with this fight and it’s eating them alive. Take your belt it don’t make me.”
Stevenson refers to the WBC’s recent run-in with Terence Crawford – a close friend, mentor and training partner – who was stripped of his own green and gold super-middleweight belt for, according to the sanctioning body, not paying the relevant fees. Crawford, who had won the title alongside the three other major straps by beating Canelo Alvarez, retired shortly after, but not before delivering a scathing rant on the WBC.
Stevenson’s next move remains up in the air, though pushing for another title with the World Boxing Council may be out of the question.
