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Shakur Stevenson stripped of his WBC world title after Teofimo Lopez’s victory

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Tim Bradley names the only man who can compete with Shakur Stevenson: “I’m telling you”

Shakur Stevenson is no longer the WBC lightweight champion.

The 28-year-old from Newark won the vacant WBC belt in November 2023, defeating Edwin De Los Santos. Despite being crowned Third Division champions that night, his performance was widely criticized as placing too much emphasis on safety.

In his first defense, the only fight he had in 2024, Stevenson performed similarly against Artem Harutyunyan before stopping replacement Josh Padley in February 2025. His stock rose significantly when he faced pressure fighter William Zepeda in July, retaining the belt for a third time in a much more fan-friendly event.

Last weekend, the defending champion moved up to super lightweight to challenge Teofimo Lopez, winning all but one round in a truly elite performance.

While his next move is undecided – he was considering making another jump to welterweight competition – it is now clear he will not be defending his title WBC belt at 135 pounds. The sanctioning authority issued the following statement today:

“On January 31, 2026, WBC Lightweight World Champion Shakur Stevenson put on a brilliant performance by defeating WBO Super Lightweight World Champion Teofimo López. Champion Stevenson is now a four-time world champion, a feat achieved by few boxers in history. Among these boxers we find Oscar De La Hoya, Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao, Canelo Alvarez and Terrence Crawford.

“Throughout his career, Champion Stevenson has maintained a historic and incredibly successful relationship with the WBC. His ascent to the top began in January 2019 when he won the WBC Continental American title, signaling the beginning of a career destined for greatness.

“In 2022, Stevenson consolidated his elite status by defeating Oscar Valdez to become the WBC Super Featherweight Champion. Then, in 2023, he moved up to the lightweight division to capture the green and gold belts, a title he defended with pride and technical mastery three times in a row.

“In featherlight of Champion Stevenson being the current reigning WBO Super Lightweight World Champion and in accordance with the WBC Regulations, the WBC has announced a vacancy for his Lightweight Lightweight World Title.

“The WBC wishes Champion Stevenson continued success in all his future endeavors, both in and out of the ring.

“The WBC will provide further information regarding the process to determine a novel lightweight world champion in the near future.”

Stevenson may consider staying at 140 pounds to defend his newly won WBO belt, although he seems to be focusing more on major names than must-see fighters. After the fight, in addition to targeting Conor Benn at 147 pounds, he mentioned Isaac Cruz as a potential opponent while also saying he would be willing to face Devin Haney.

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Boxing

Terence Crawford names one fight he would like to see against Gervonta Davis this year

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Terence Crawford names one fight he wants to see Gervonta Davis make happen this year

Terence Crawford has named an opponent he would “love to face” with Gervonta Davis in his expected return to the sport.

The former world champion hasn’t fought since March 2025, when many felt he was lucky to draw with Lamont Roach.

Nevertheless, “Tank” retained the WBA lightweight title and was scheduled to face Roach in an immediate rematch before negotiating an exhibition match with Jake Paul.

But instead of spending time with the YouTuber-turned-boxer, Davis was forced to deal with domestic violence allegations from his former partner, Courtney Rossel.

Since then The 31-year-old was recognized by the WBA as a “breaktime champion”.urged by No. 1 contender Floyd Schofield to book their fight or give him a free shot at the title.

Davis, however, has expressed greater interest in a rematch with Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz at 140 pounds, even though he passed the Mexican in 2021.

Meanwhile, Crawford has no desire to watch “Tank” fight Schofield or Cruz, but he would happily sit back and watch him clash with Shakur Stevenson.

I’m talking to Danielle Pirello“Bud” called the WBO super lightweight world champion the perfect opponent for Davis, believing their potential meeting would be one of the best fights that could be had.

“I’d like to see Shakur vs. ‘Tank’ Davis.”

Stevenson had previously called on Davis to sign a contract several times, perhaps making him increasingly doubtful whether the Baltimore player would ever sign.

Therefore, it is unrealistic to expect an immediate fight between “Tank” and Stevenson, especially after the latter’s dominant performance against Teofimo Lopez in January.

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Deontay Wilder’s opponents are leaving after Anthony Joshua’s snub

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Deontay Wilder with Andy Ruiz Jr and Moses Itauma as next fight options

Two credible opponents emerged after Deontay Wilder vs. Anthony Joshua finally fell after an eight-year battle for the fight.

As World Boxing News documents from start to finish, after nearly a decade of back-and-forth, a Wilder-Joshua fight is no longer an option.

Joshua now has bigger fish to fry in the UK in 2026 as the former two-time heavyweight champion pushes for a British superfight with Tyson Fury.

Promoter Eddie Hearn effectively ruled out Wilder as a warm-up opponent, leaving the Londoner’s next moves without the “Brown Bomber” involved.

After the summer warm-up, Fury’s double will follow and by the time Joshua is finally free, Wilder will be 42 years aged.

This causes Wilder to look elsewhere.

Deontay Wilder’s opponents

Joshua’s compatriot Moses Itauma has already called for a fight, putting himself in a risky clash with one of the best fighters in the division.

Itauma is already shunned and would be seen as a bad turn for Wilder.

However, what stands out is a potential Pay-Per-View showdown in the United States with Andy Ruiz Jr.

The two were linked to fights between 2020 and 2023, when, ironically, the Tyson Fury trilogy stalled before Ruiz’s contract situation made any agreement impossible.

As previously reported by WBN, talks on financial terms were finally broken off when the fight was already clearly decided.

The interest never went away. WBN also revealed how fan demand for the Wilder vs. Ruiz match had skyrocketed, generating millions of views as fans insisted that the fight would finally happen.

Now, after their September showdown at Allegiant Stadium, Wilder vs. Ruiz is the front-runner if either fighter is to return to the heavyweight world title hunt.

Following Joshua’s departure from the table, Wilder’s next move is under scrutiny and calls for a rematch with Derek Chisora ​​are met with an extremely lukewarm reception.

Whether he takes on an emerging name like Itauma or returns to unfinished business with Ruiz, this decision will impact how he re-enters the heavyweight scene.

The title isn’t out of the question for Wilder, but the next move has to be the right one.


About the author

Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Since 2010, he has interviewed world champions, published exclusive international performances and reported on in-ring performances. His work is distributed on major platforms including Apple News. Read the full biography.

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The Errol Spence Jr vs Tim Tszyu fight will take place on July 26 in Australia

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Image: Errol Spence Fires Back at 'Washed' Claims

Rafael reported that sources indicate that the junior middleweight fight is scheduled for Sunday afternoon, July 26, in Australia, which means the U.S. broadcast will take place on Saturday evening, July 25.

If finalized, it would be Spence’s first fight since his loss to Terence Crawford in July 2023. The former welterweight champion has spent a long period out of the ring, which would also mean him moving up to junior middleweight against an opponent who is naturally bigger and more busy.

This makes it a challenging return task rather than a unthreatening tune-up. Spence will return after almost three years away overseas and will face a fighter who has already operated at a world-class level in the division. This July will mark approximately 36 months since Spence’s last fight. At the age of 36, such passivity is arduous for most people.

Tim Tszyu is also trying to maintain his standing in front of the home crowd after a recent arduous run. Still, he remains one of the stronger names at 154 and brings size, pressure and knowledge of the weight.

The schedule provides a clear commercial window for both sides, with the Australian stadium-style afternoon event morphing neatly into Saturday night on American television.

Nothing is official until the contracts are signed, but if it does happen, Spence will take the risk immediately. Many players at the end of the break ask for something more fragile. This one goes the other way.

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