Shakur Stevenson is no longer WBC Lightweight World Champion.
The 28 year old from Newark won the vacant WBC strap back in November of 2023 with a victory over Edwin De Los Santos. Despite becoming champion in a third division that night, his performance was widely criticised as too safety-first.
In his first defence, the only fight he had in 2024, Stevenson put on a similar showing against Artem Harutyunyan before stopping late replacement Josh Padley in February 2025. His stock rose significantly when taking on pressure fighter William Zepeda that July, retaining the belt for a third time in a much more fan-friendly affair.
Though his next move is undecided – he has been discussing yet another jump up to compete at welterweight – what is now clear is that he won’t be defending the WBC belt at 135lbs. The sanctioning body today released the following statement:
“On January 31, 2026, WBC World Lightweight Champion Shakur Stevenson gave a brilliant performance to defeat WBO World Super Lightweight Champion Teofimo López. Champion Stevenson is now a 4-time World Champion; a feat achieved by a few boxers in history. Among those boxers we find Oscar De La Hoya, Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao, Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford.
“Throughout his career, Champion 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.
“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.”
Stevenson may consider sticking around at 140lbs to defend his newly won WBO strap, though he seems focused more on major names rather than mandatories. Post-fight, as well as targeting Conor Benn at 147, he has named Isaac Cruz as a potential opponent, while also saying he would be willing to face Devin Haney.
Update: Stevenson has responded to the ruling with some harsh words for the WBC.