Overview
- Days after a dominant decision over Teofimo Lopez at 140 pounds, Stevenson became a four-division titleholder by winning the WBO and The Ring junior welterweight belts.
- The WBC declared its lightweight title vacant and said it will soon detail the process to crown a new champion, citing its rules for multi-division titleholders.
- Stevenson accused the WBC of seeking a $100,000 sanctioning payment for the Lopez bout and called the organization “crooks,” while the WBC has not confirmed any fee demand.
- The WBC’s website now lists the lightweight belt as vacant, and interim titleholder Jadier Herrera could be elevated pending the organization’s next steps.
- The dispute revives comparisons to Terence Crawford’s fee clash with the WBC, as Stevenson signals his focus on 140 pounds and calls out potential opponents such as Conor Benn.