SHAKUR STEVENSON may still be a free agent but his next fight is looking a bit clearer.
Earlier tonight on the social media platform X it was announced by WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman that the sanctioning body has ordered their lightweight world champion Shakur Stevenson, (22-0, 10 KOs), to make a mandatory title defence against William Zepeda, (31-0, 27 KOs).
The WBC has ordered the mandatory title defense of our lightweight champion @ShakurStevenson vs @williamzepeda2 very much looking forward to this great match
— Mauricio Sulaiman (@wbcmoro) July 15, 2024
Zepeda is the number one contender across all four organisations and has been in imperious form of late and his non-stop all-action style has endeared him to fans across the sport. Last year he made light work of Jaime Arboleda, Mercito Gesta and Britain’s Maxi Hughes. Earlier this month his front-foot tactics overwhelmed Giovanni Cabrera in a third-round knockout win.
William Zepeda is unbeaten in 31 starts
On the same night Zepeda steamrollered Cabrera in Ontario there was a different type of fight in Newark where Stevenson went the 12-round distance for the sixth time when he comfortably beat Artem Harutyunyan. That fight was his last working with Top Rank and is now on the lookout for a new promoter.
Golden Boy Promotions’ Oscar De La Hoya – who promotes Zepeda – has met with Stevenson already and Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn was due to sit down with the gifted fighter today (July 15).
If Stevenson decides to withdraw from the Zepeda fight then he may be forced to vacate his title and that could lead him to matchups against either WBA champion Gervonta Davis and IBF champion Vasiliy Lomachenko which are far more lucrative. Stevenson must now decide where his promotional future lies and whether or not he wants to take on the relentless Zepeda.
During his time attending Matchroom’s card in Philadelphia on Saturday night Stevenson was asked by DAZN’s Chris Mannix about a potential matchup against Zepeda.
“Hell of a fighter,” Stevenson said.
“I don’t think I’ve been in the ring – in my professional career – with a fighter like that. He throws a bunch of punches. He’s great with his own style but a guy like that would bring out the best in me.”