WBC to Order Shakur Stevenson vs Edwin De Los Santos Next?
A contest between Shakur Stevenson (20-0, 10 KOs) and Frank Martin (14-0, 10 KOs) for the vacant WBC lightweight title is now off. However, there could be a reprieve with Stevenson facing Edwin De Los Santos (16-1, 14 KOs) for the WBC strap.
The WBC 135-pound title became vacant in August 2023 when the sanctioning body named former undisputed champion Devin Haney the WBC Champion in Recess. Stevenson and Martin were ordered to fight by the sanctioning body to fight for the WBC strap.
But to the surprise and disappointment of many fans, the camp of Martin decided to walk away from negotiations. Stevenson is moving on, and the two-division world champion is already on social media calling for a matchup with Edwin De Los Santos for the vacant title.
FALL-BACK PLAN?
If sanctioning body rules mean anything, a contest between Stevenson and Santos makes plenty of sense. When the WBC essentially demoted Haney to Champion in Recess, they ordered Stevenson to face the highest available challenger. Martin is ranked second by the sanctioning body.
The next ranked contenders are Vasyl Lomachenko and Isaac Cruz, both of whom have previously turned down a chance to face Stevenson. Next in line is De Los Santos.
A fight against Stevenson is something that De Los Santos wants badly. The power-punching southpaw has repeatedly called for a fight with Stevenson on social media:
The eyes are now on the WBC in terms of who will fight Stevenson for the vacant title. Stay tuned to 3kingsboxing.com for updates on this developing story.
