Unified junior lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson is all set to get back in action on September 23rd as he defends his titles against Robson Conceicao in a twelve round bout. This highly anticipated matchup will take place at the Prudential Center in Newyark, New Jersey.
However, just one day prior to the title defense, the undefeated junior lightweight champion suffered a major blow as he failed to make weight. Stevenson stepped on the scaled and weighed in at 131.6 pounds and exceeded the weight limit by 1.6 pounds.
Unified champion Shakur Stevenson weighed in at 131.6 pounds for tomorrow’s junior lightweight title bout.
That’s 1.6 pounds over championship weight ⚖️ #StevensonConceicao pic.twitter.com/js5BETWQCw
— ESPN Ringside (@ESPNRingside) September 22, 2022
Shakur had two hours to cut the extra weight but he decided not to and consequently, he had to vacate his two junior lightweight titles. He was striped of his WBC & WBO Super featherweight titles and will be fined some of his fight purse.
Fortunately, this championship bout between Stevenson and Conceicao will continue and the challenger still has the opportunity to win the titles if he manages to win this matchup. After this tragic title loss due to missing weight, it would be interesting to see whether this has any effect on Shakur’s mind.
Do let us know in the comments section below who you think will win this title fight between Shakur Stevenson and Robson Conceicao.
Shakur Stevenson confirms he will move up to lightweight division after his bout against Robson Conceicao
The entire world was shocked after Shakur Stevenson failed to make the 130 pounds championship weight ahead of his fight against Robson Conceicao. After deciding to not cut the extra weight and vacate his two titles, Stevenson issued a statement on Twitter where he revealed that he tried his best to make weight.
I gave it my all. I’ve been professional my whole career and made weight, but my body just can’t make 130 anymore. My health has to come first. I’m moving up to 135 in my next fight.
— Shakur Stevenson (@ShakurStevenson) September 22, 2022
Moreover, he also confirmed that he won’t compete in the junior lightweight division from now on and move up to the 135 pound weight class. Following this announcement, fight fans around the world are extremely excited as another world class boxer will now enter the stacked lightweight division.
Besides, Shakur moving up to the 135-pound division opens up a lot of great matchups as fighters like Ryan Garcia and Gervonta Davis are currently not scheduled for a fight.
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