The WBC Orders Shakur Stevenson vs. Frank Martin For The Vacant 135 Belt

The WBC has mandated Shakur Stevenson vs. Frank Martin for the vacant WBC lightweight title.

Stevenson will get his shot at the title after Devin Haney decided to move up to junior welterweight to target Regis Prograis‘ WBC belt. And since Stevenson was already the WBC mandatory at 135, he will now face Martin since the latter is the highest-ranked fighter available to fight for the belt.Vasiliy Lomachenko was the next in line, however, the Ukrainian will not fight this year, as per Bob Arum. Therefore, Martin who is ranked number four has taken on the challenge.

His previous bout was against Artem Harutyunyan, as he defeated the boxer via a unanimous decision. Nevertheless, if the two fighters cannot agree a bout in due time, then a purse bid has been scheduled in for September 5th, 2023. Regardless of what the case may be, Stevenson is in a prime position to make a case for the big fights at 135.

“The WBC has ordered two-division champion Shakur Stevenson and 18-0 Frank Martin to fight for their vacant lightweight title.

“There’s an ongoing conversation between Top Rank and PBC. That’s always fun. But if they can’t reach an agreement, there’s a purse bid scheduled for September 5.

“I don’t know where PBC would put the fight, but Top Rank is looking at Las Vegas in November to kick off the F1 Grand Prix weekend in Vegas. By the way, how we got here? After Haney beat Loma, Shakur was the [WBC] mandatory,” Kriegel

“Lomachenko passed [on the option of fighting Shakur for the vacant WBC lightweight title]. Isaac Cruz is next up in the rankings. He apparently has a date with Tank Davis. Frank Martin is next in the rankings [at #4 WBC]. I think it’s a great fight, ESPN’s Max Kriegel