Shakur Stevenson is all but set to fight for a version of the world lightweight title. However, according to promoter Bob Arum, it will not be coming against Vasyl Lomachenko.
Shakur (20-0), a two-weight world champion, is currently the mandatory challenger within the WBC lightweight ratings and has been pursuing a contest with rival and current undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney.
However, the prospect of the pair coming to blows within the squared circle is becoming increasingly unlikely as Haney is set to pursue opportunities at the weight above in the super-lightweight division.
Opportunities do lay in wait, predominantly within the WBC, with the title set to become vacant as and when Haney decides to elevate himself to the weight classes. Stevenson is set to headline a Top Rank promotion on the 16th of November in Las Vegas, Nevada and will likely contest the WBC world lightweight world title. However, in the opposing corner is currently unclear.
“We’ll have to see what the [WBC] decides,” Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum, whose Top Rank co-promotes Stevenson, told BoxingScene.com regarding Stevenson’s possible foe. “They’ll have to go down the rankings and see who’s available.”
However, his opportunity to capture a world title in a third weight division will not come against Vasyl Lomachenko, who lost a narrow points decision against Haney in May of this year despite many feeling that the Ukranian did enough to be declared the victor.
Arum continued to add that he does not expect to see Lomachenko return to action till early 2024 at the earliest and that he will be seeking for the Ukranian to secure another title opportunity.
“We believe he will come back sometime early in 2024,” Arum explained. “He’s rated very highly by all four (sanctioning body) organizations. He’ll fight for a title eventually, just not versus Shakur Stevenson, who is going to fight later this year.”
