Shakur Stevenson Stripped of WBC Lightweight Title After Super Lightweight Victory

The rising boxing star's reign as WBC Lightweight Champion ends after just two years.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 3:48am

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An abstract, energetic painting in neon colors depicting the intense movements and action of a boxing match, with the boxer's face and surroundings blurred into expressive brushstrokes.Stevenson's dominant victory over Lopez sparks controversy as the WBC strips him of his lightweight title.Newark Today

Shakur Stevenson, the 28-year-old Newark native and four-time world champion, has been stripped of his WBC Lightweight World Title just days after a dominant victory over Teofimo Lopez in the super lightweight division. The WBC cited Stevenson's decision to move up in weight as the reason for vacating the 135-pound title he had held since 2023.

Why it matters

Stevenson's rapid rise through the boxing ranks, capturing titles in three different weight classes, has made him one of the sport's most exciting young stars. The WBC's decision to strip him of the lightweight belt he had successfully defended three times has sparked debate over whether champions should be allowed to hold multiple titles simultaneously.

The details

Stevenson first won the vacant WBC Lightweight title in November 2023 with a victory over Edwin De Los Santos. He then defended the belt against Artem Harutyunyan and Josh Padley before his career-defining win over Teofimo Lopez in the super lightweight division in July 2026. Despite this triumph, the WBC has decided to vacate Stevenson's lightweight title, citing his decision to move up in weight and not defend the 135-pound belt.

  • Stevenson won the WBC Lightweight title in November 2023.
  • Stevenson defended the lightweight title against Artem Harutyunyan and Josh Padley in 2025.
  • Stevenson defeated Teofimo Lopez in the super lightweight division in July 2026.
  • The WBC stripped Stevenson of the lightweight title just days after his victory over Lopez.

The players

Shakur Stevenson

A 28-year-old boxer from Newark, New Jersey, who has won world titles in three different weight classes, including the WBC Lightweight Championship in 2023.

Teofimo Lopez

A professional boxer who Stevenson defeated in the super lightweight division in July 2026.

WBC

The World Boxing Council, one of the major sanctioning bodies in professional boxing, which stripped Stevenson of the lightweight title after his victory over Lopez.

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What they’re saying

“Stevenson's brilliance and historic relationship with the WBC is undeniable. We wish him success as he continues his journey, but he will not be defending the lightweight title at 135lbs.”

— WBC

What’s next

Stevenson now has options to either stay at 140lbs to defend his WBO title or potentially move up to welterweight, which would undoubtedly spark excitement and controversy in the boxing world.

The takeaway

The WBC's decision to strip Stevenson of the lightweight title he had successfully defended three times has reignited the debate over whether champions should be allowed to hold multiple titles simultaneously. Stevenson's rapid rise through the ranks and his dominance in the ring have made him one of the sport's most exciting young stars, and his future moves will be closely watched by boxing fans.