In a move that has sparked intense debate and left the boxing world buzzing, Shakur Stevenson has been stripped of his WBC lightweight title, raising questions about the organization's motives and the fighter's future. But here's where it gets controversial: Was this decision fair, or is there more to the story than meets the eye?
The World Boxing Council (WBC), headquartered in Mexico City, announced on Wednesday via its website and social media platforms that Stevenson would no longer hold their lightweight title. The organization cited a rule prohibiting champions from simultaneously holding world titles from other governing bodies in different weight classes than their WBC division. This decision came just days after Stevenson’s (25-0, 11 KOs) stunning victory over Teofimo Lopez at Madison Square Garden, where he claimed The Ring and WBO junior welterweight titles, cementing his status as a four-weight world champion.
Stevenson, a former featherweight, junior lightweight, and lightweight champion from Newark, New Jersey, had expressed openness to defending his new titles at 140 pounds or returning to 135 pounds for the right opportunity. However, the WBC’s swift action left many wondering why he wasn’t given more time to decide his next move. And this is the part most people miss: Stevenson later revealed on social media that the WBC demanded a $100,000 fee related to his fight with Lopez, despite no WBC belt being on the line that night. Stevenson’s response was blunt and emotional, stating, “100k to some crooks who don’t deserve it? Nah, Leilani [his daughter], I’d rather give it to you, baby girl. The WBC didn’t even have anything to do with this fight, and it’s eating them alive. Take your belt—it doesn’t make me.”
This isn’t the first time the WBC has found itself at the center of controversy. Stevenson’s close friend and mentor, Terence Crawford, previously clashed with WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman over a $300,000 sanctioning fee for his fight against Canelo Alvarez. Crawford refused to pay, arguing it was exorbitant compared to fees charged by other organizations like the IBF, WBA, or WBO. Stevenson’s situation seems to echo this tension, as he hinted, “What the hell am I giving y’all 100k right now for? Because y’all got beef with Bud [Crawford], so come at me for it.”
Despite the drama, Stevenson’s performance against Lopez (22-2, 13 KOs) was nothing short of masterful. The 2016 Olympic silver medalist dominated the most skilled opponent of his eight-year pro career, using his jab, controlling distance, and dictating the pace to secure a unanimous decision (119-109 on all three scorecards). At just 28, Stevenson has already defended the WBC lightweight title three times, most notably against William Zepeda in July 2023, where he silenced critics by engaging in a toe-to-toe battle and winning decisively (119-109, 118-110, 118-110).
Interestingly, Cuba’s Jadier Herrera (18-0, 16 KOs), the WBC’s interim lightweight champion, was not elevated to the full title after Stevenson’s stripping. Zepeda (33-1, 27 KOs) remains the WBC’s No. 1 contender, despite Stevenson’s dominant victory over him just six months ago. Is this a missed opportunity for Herrera, or is the WBC playing it safe?
As the dust settles, one thing is clear: Shakur Stevenson’s career continues to be a rollercoaster of triumphs and controversies. But what do you think? Was the WBC justified in stripping Stevenson of his title, or is this a case of organizational overreach? Let us know in the comments—this debate is far from over.
