After months of frustration and uncertainty, Newark star Shakur Stevenson finally has an idea of who his next opponent might be.
Stevenson put in a glittering performance on his lightweight debut against Shuichiro Yoshino back in April, however has since found it difficult to convince anyone to jump in the ring with him.
That issue seems to have been sorted for him as the WBC has just ordered that he fight for their soon-to-be vacant title against his countryman Frank Martin. He later accepted the challenge on social media.
Let’s get to it.. That mf gotta go 😤😤😤 https://t.co/AKSYvUd9FB
— Shakur Stevenson (@ShakurStevenson) August 27, 2023
The current undisputed champion, Devin Haney, has stated his intention to move up in weight and face super-lightweight champion, Regis Prograis, thus becoming the WBC’s Champion in Recess and allowing Stevenson, as mandatory challenger, to fight for the vacant belt.
Like Stevenson, Martin is an undefeated southpaw and is regarded as one of the best fighters in the division.
As always seems to be the case in boxing, however, there are significant promoter politics that could potentially prevent the fight happening, so fans should not start making travel plans just yet.
Stevenson is one of the leading lights of Bob Arum’s Top Rank stable, whilst Frank Martin is signed to Al Haymon’s PBC.
If a deal is not able to struck between the two parties, purse bids will be ordered though the timescale on this is unclear at present.
Stevenson is a two weight world champion aged just 26, having won honours at both featherweight and super feather, and many feel him adding to that collection at 135lbs is an inevitability.
Martin himself is no slouch and has impressed in the majority of his recent outings, however was not at his best last time out against Artem Harutyunyan at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas.
That said, he will expect to raise his game in what would be the biggest fight of his career against Stevenson – if it happens.