Shakur Stevenson had little time to celebrate his latest title win before another belt was taken away.
On Wednesday, the World Boxing Council announced it had stripped Stevenson of his lightweight world championship, leaving the title vacant just days after his dominant performance at Madison Square Garden. The decision came shortly after Stevenson moved up in weight and captured the WBO junior welterweight title.
The WBC said its ruling was based on regulations involving champions holding titles in multiple divisions. Still, the timing raised questions, especially with Stevenson fresh off one of the most decisive wins of his career.
Stevenson did not hide his frustration and took to social media to suggest that money played a role in the decision.
“100k to some crooks who don’t deserve it?” he wrote. “The WBC didn’t even have s— to do with this fight. Take your belt, it don’t make me.”
He later questioned why he should pay a sanctioning fee at all. “What the hell am I giving y’all 100k right now for?” Stevenson added.
100k to some crooks who don’t deserve it? Nah Leilani I rather give it to u baby girl.. The WBC didn’t even have shit to do with this fight and it’s eating them alive take your belt it don’t make me
— Shakur Stevenson (@ShakurStevenson) February 4, 2026
And I just paid these dudes after my last fight.. What the hell im giving yall 100k right now for? Because yall got beef with Bud so come at me for it
— Shakur Stevenson (@ShakurStevenson) February 4, 2026
Before the ruling, momentum was firmly on his side. Facing Teófimo López, Stevenson delivered a masterclass, outlanding his opponent by a wide margin and sweeping the scorecards. “I picked him apart and did what I was supposed to do,” Stevenson said after the fight. “This is the art of boxing.”
https://t.co/aTgVAJULP9
— Shakur Stevenson (@ShakurStevenson) February 4, 2026