On January 31, at Madison Sq. Backyard in New York, Shakur Stevenson (25-0, 11 KOs) delivered a masterful efficiency in beating Teofimo Lopez (22-2, 13 KOs) by unanimous resolution, with scorecards of 119-109 x3. Since that historic win, which noticed Stevenson win The Ring and WBO tremendous light-weight titles, he has been stripped of his WBC light-weight belt, with many questioning what he’ll do subsequent.
The previous undisputed tremendous light-weight champion, Josh Taylor, has spoken to The Ring about Stevenson’s win and the place he may face a problem sooner or later.
Shakur Stevenson loses WBC light-weight title
The WBC assertion concerning Shakur being stripped could be discovered beneath:
“WBC World Light-weight Champion Shakur Stevenson gave an excellent efficiency, defeating WBO World Tremendous Light-weight Champion Teófimo López.
Stevenson is now a four-time World Champion; a feat achieved by only a few boxers in historical past. Amongst these, we discover Oscar De La Hoya, Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao, [Saúl] Canelo Álvarez, and [Terence] Crawford.
All through his profession, Stevenson has maintained a historic and terribly profitable relationship with the WBC. His ascent to the highest started in January 2019, when he captured the WBC Continental Americas title, signaling the beginning of a profession destined for greatness.
In 2022, Stevenson solidified his elite standing by defeating Oscar Valdez to turn into the WBC Tremendous Featherweight Champion. Subsequently, in 2023, he moved as much as the light-weight division to assert the Inexperienced and Gold belt, a title he defended with pleasure and technical mastery on three consecutive events.
Contemplating that Stevenson is now the reigning WBO Tremendous Light-weight World Champion, and in step with the WBC Guidelines & Rules, the WBC has declared its Light-weight World title vacant.
The WBC needs Stevenson continued success in all his future endeavors, each inside and outdoors the ring.”
Taylor praises Shakur Stevenson and teases future challenges
Reflecting on Shakur Stevenson’s win:
“I assumed it was superb, I knew it was gonna occur due to my expertise with Teo myself,” Taylor advised The Ring. “(Stevenson) was superb; he stood within the pocket and used his protection and affected person boxing. It sounds silly however he was affected person however aggressive. He was very sharp with the counters, he was stepping to him, he wasn’t shifting round an excessive amount of and created angles. It was good to look at.”
Praising Stevenson, Taylor stated:
“He’s superb, (we’re) nonetheless to seek out somebody who’s to correctly take him into the trenches and make him assume and modify mid-fight.”
“I’ve not seen a lot on the market [to challenge him]. I can’t see anybody beating him round that weight class,” added Taylor.
Waiting for future challenges for Stevenson, Taylor believes they’ll solely include a transfer to welterweight:
“There’s [Devin] Haney there, Ryan Garcia there’s nonetheless a couple of fighters who may make large fights,” he stated.
Is there anybody that may beat Shakur Stevenson?
