Shakur Stevenson stripped of lightweight world title

Shakur Stevenson (25-0, 11 KOs) is no longer a lightweight world champion.

The World Boxing Council (WBC) formally announced via press release on Wednesday that their 135-lb title is now vacant. Their lightweight rankings page, reportedly last updated on Feb. 3, currently indicates that no one holds that belt in the division. Jadier Herrera, who holds an interim version of the world title, has yet to be promoted to full titlist as this piece is published.

Stevenson moved up to the super lightweight division to face Teófimo López for the WBO world title. He was ultimately victorious via unanimous decision, making him a four-division boxing world champion. Stevenson simultaneously held titles at lightweight and super lightweight with the win, although that is no longer the case with the WBC’s decision.

WBC issues statement regarding Shakur Stevenson

Below is the press release statement that the WBC issued on Wednesday in full:

“WBC World Lightweight Champion Shakur Stevenson gave a brilliant performance, defeating WBO World Super Lightweight Champion Teófimo López.

Stevenson is now a four-time World Champion; a feat achieved by just a few boxers in history. Among those, we find Oscar De La Hoya, Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao, [Saúl] Canelo Álvarez, and [Terence] Crawford.

Throughout his career, Stevenson has maintained a historic and extraordinarily successful relationship with the WBC. His ascent to the top began in January 2019, when he captured the WBC Continental Americas title, signaling the start of a career destined for greatness.

In 2022, Stevenson solidified his elite status by defeating Oscar Valdez to become the WBC Super Featherweight Champion. Subsequently, in 2023, he moved up to the lightweight division to claim the Green and Gold belt, a title he defended with pride and technical mastery on three consecutive occasions.

Considering that Stevenson is now the reigning WBO Super Lightweight World Champion, and consistent with the WBC Rules & Regulations, the WBC has declared its Lightweight World title vacant.

The WBC wishes Stevenson continued success in all his future endeavors, both inside and outside the ring.”

Shakur Stevenson’s reaction

Stevenson took to X to react to the WBC’s announcement:

“100k to some crooks who don’t deserve it?” posted Stevenson to X. “Nah Leilani [his daughter] I rather give it to u baby girl.. The WBC didn’t even have s--- to do with this fight and it’s eating them alive take your belt it don’t make me.”

“And I just paid these dudes after my last fight.. What the hell im giving yall 100k right now for? Because yall got beef with Bud [Terence Crawford] so come at me for it,” he wrote in a follow-up post.