Shakur Stevenson vacates WBC title days after win against Teofimo Lopez due to little known rule

Shakur Stevenson’s world title collection has become a little lighter.

Less than a week after he toppled Teofimo Lopez to win the WBO and The Ring super lightweight world championships, Stevenson no longer owns the WBC lightweight world title.

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“In light of Champion Stevenson now being the reigning WBO Super Lightweight World Champion and consistent with the WBC Rules and Regulations, the WBC has declared vacant its Lightweight World title,” a WBC statement read.

“The WBC wishes Champion Stevenson continued success in all his future endeavours, 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.”

WBC rules state their champions are not permitted to simultaneously hold world titles belonging to other governing bodies in a weight class separate from the one in which they are a WBC champion.

With Stevenson losing his WBC lightweight title, it means interim champion Jadier Herrera could be instantly promoted to the active champion.

Herrera won the interim crown on January 10 when he stopped Ricardo Nunez in the eighth round.

Stevenson became the WBC lightweight champion in 2023 when he beat Edwin De Los Santos via unanimous decision to claim the vacant strap.

The 28-year-old successfully defended his crown on three occasions, beating Artem Harutyunyan, former electrician Josh Padley and William Zepeda over the space of a year.

But Stevenson now has his eyes set on hoovering up world championships in the 140lb division following his triumph over Lopez.

Now that he has the WBO and The Ring super lightweight world titles, there are three championships required for Stevenson to unify.

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Gary Antuanne Russell possesses the WBA super lightweight championship and will make his first defence on February 21 against Andy Hiraoka.

The American’s bout against Hiraoka falls on the undercard of Mario Barrios vs Ryan Garcia, which will be held in Las Vegas.

Another world championship bout in the super lightweight division on the Barrios v Garcia undercard is Richardson Hitchins’ clash against Oscar Duarte.

Hitchins is the IBF super lightweight king having claimed the belt from Liam Paro in December 2024 and defended it against George Kambosos last June.

As for the WBC super lightweight title, that belongs to Sheffield native Dalton Smith.

The British star punched his way to glory via a dazzling stoppage win over Subriel Matias on January 10.

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With all other super lightweight world titles being put on the line, it could be some time before Stevenson gets a chance to add another to his collection.

However, the unbeaten American does not seem keen to sit on his hands and wait, as he elected to call out Conor Benn following the win over Lopez.

He shouted during his post-fight interview: “Where is Conor Benn? I want him.

“My skills are too much. Sign the contract. Let’s make it happen. He’s food.”