After stripping Shakur Stevenson of his title, the WBC and Mauricio Sulaiman have ordered a vacant title fight for this lightweight crown
Shakur Stevenson (25-0, 11ko’s) rocked Madison Square Garden dominating Teofimo Lopez (22-2, 13ko’s) to become WBO and Ring Magazine super lightweight champion.
Subsequently, he was stripped by the WBC of his lightweight title for not paying a sanctioning fee.
With the title now vacant, the 135lbs division is set to have a new champion.
The other existing belts are held by Raymond Muratalla (IBF) (24-0, 17ko’s), and Abdullah Mason (20-0, 17ko’s).
First reported by Erika Montoya, William Zepeda vs Lamont Roach has been ordered for the vacant belt.
William Zepeda (33-1, 27ko’s) is the former interim champion and title challenger.
Defeat to pound for pound number three Shakur Stevenson is the only blemish in a career that has spanned over ten years.
The Mexican southpaw has an front footed style, throwing a high volume of punches.
Across the ring will be Lamont Roach (25-1-3, 10ko’s).
Many believe 2025 should’ve been the year Roach was crowned world champion.
A controversial draw against Gervonta Davis (30-0-1, 28ko’s) prevented this.
Davis took a knee in the latter stages of this fight, and no knockdown was scored.
It seems that Roach will get another opportunity, this time at the green and gold belt.
The boxing public will now wait to see if this fight can be made.
Undoubtedly it is a matchup that will boost the 2026 American boxing schedule.
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