Shakur Stevenson is poised for an opportunity to claim the title in a third weight division, as the WBC mandates a bout against Frank Martin for the now-vacant lightweight championship. With negotiations between Stevenson’s promoter, Top Rank, and Martin’s management team, Premier Boxing Champions, ongoing, a failure to finalize the deal might lead to a purse bid by September 5th.
This opportunity arises after the previous titleholder, Devin Haney, shifted his focus to a potential bout against Regis Prograis. As a result, the WBC designated Haney as the “champion in recess,” paving the way for Stevenson and Martin to vie for the regular championship.
Internationally recognized, Stevenson holds the ninth spot in ESPN’s men’s pound-for-pound ranking. His prominence was further solidified in 2022 when he overpowered Oscar Valdez, earning the title of unified junior lightweight champion. However, his lapse in meeting the weight requirements in a subsequent defense against Robson Conceicao resulted in the loss of his belts, though Stevenson still secured a victory.
On the other side, Frank Martin has been steadily climbing the ranks under the guidance of his trainer, Derrick James. Since 2022, Martin has celebrated four victories, with his most recent triumph coming over Artem Harutyunyan in July, highlighted by a 12th-round knockdown.
Image Credit: Top Rank