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After Vasyl Lomachenko and Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz declined to fight Shakur Stevenson for vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight titleFrank Martin accepted the challenge after the organization ordered the fight.
According to BoxingScene, promoters Top Rank and TBG Promotions reached a financial agreement shortly before the auction was to take place. Although the date and place are still unknown, Bob Arum recently claimed that Shakur Stevenson’s next fight was scheduled for November 16 in Las Vegas. What could be known is that the fight will be televised on ESPN.
‼️ Shakur Stevenson vs Frank Martin for the vacant WBC lightweight world title is reportedly now AGREED as Bob Arum’s Top Rank and TGB Promotions (on behalf of Al Haymon’s PBC) have done a deal to stage it on a Top Rank/ESPN show. Purse bids cancelled. [According to @IdecBoxing]
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) September 5, 2023
It should be noted that after defeating the then undefeated Yoshino Shuichiro by technical knockout in the sixth round, Shakur Stevenson was named the WBC mandatory challenger. After challenging Devin Haney and receiving an offer from the undisputed 135-pound champion, the American turned it down because it was less than he had earned in his last three fights. For this reason, The Dream chose to move up in category and face Regis Prograis, the organization’s super lightweight champion.
For this reason, the WBC ordered that Haney be champion in recess and Stevenson was chosen along with the number one ranked (Lomachenko) as those who would dispute the absolute title lightweight, but after the Ukrainian rejected the opportunity for the war in Ukraine and Pitbull Cruz for being about to finalize the expected rematch with Gervonta Davis, Frank Martin was the chosen one.
Two weight class champion Shakur Stevenson, 25, wants to win a new title in the third division in which he participates. The American has a record of 20 wins (10 on the fast track) and no setbacks.
For his part, Frank Martin, 28, entered the ring for the last time last July when he defeated Artem Harutyunyan by unanimous decision and could win his first title. The boxer has an undefeated record after 18 fights, 12 of which he won by knockout.
Keep reading:
· WBC orders Shakur Stevenson vs. Frank Martin for vacant title after Pitbull Cruz refusal
Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz declines to fight Shakur Stevenson for WBC lightweight title
· WBC contemplates Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz vs. Shakur Stevenson for lightweight title after Vasyl Lomachenko refusal