Is Shakur Stevenson’s Pursuit Of Money Leaving The Most Deserving Contenders Behind?

Shakur Stevenson is still hoping the fight against Teofimo Lopez will happen next, despite the report that the Saudis have not had any success and are “moving on.” WBC lightweight champion Shakur (24-0, 11 KOs) has made up his mind about wanting either Teofimo or Lamont Roach Jr. next—no one else.

Like many fighters, Stevenson is focusing on money now with his career, and choosing to look past the contenders vying for his WBC title, such as #1 Andy Cruz.

Teofimo (22-1, 13 KOs) fights in a division about Shakur at 140. So, if that fight were to be made, Stevenson, 28, would expect the World Boxing Council to freeze his title to allow him to move up to light welterweight to challenge Teofimo for his WBO title.

The contenders in the WBC’s top 10 at lightweight won’t be happy to see Shakur put his title on ice to go up to 140 for a payday against Lopez..That’s something that needs to be changed in boxing. In other words, if champions abandon their titles to go up in weight for money purposes, they should be automatically stripped of their belts out of fairness to the contenders. Their careers are affected by champions that do this.

Never been scared of the bright lights honestly that’s when I shine the most, Hopefully this fight happen cause I promise I will show how great I am!!

— Shakur Stevenson (@ShakurStevenson) August 24, 2025

“There has been no progress in talks for a Teofimo Lopez-Shakur Stevenson fight, and Saudi officials are moving on,” said commentator / YouTube host Chris Mannix on X.

Mannix’s comment suggests that Shakur is waiting for nothing now. The Saudis came up empty, and they’re “moving on.” Now, it’s time for Stevenson to look in a different direction. Roach (25-1-2, 10 KOs) isn’t ranked in the top 15 by any of the four sanctioning bodies at 135. He just fought to a 12-round majority draw against WBA lightweight champion Gervonta Davis on March 1, 2025.

Roach shouldn’t be given another title shot after that, when he failed to win. He had his chance and didn’t win. So, Shakur should have to defend against someone who hasn’t just fought for a world title. Why should Roach be given back-to-back opportunities to fight for a world title while the more deserving contenders like #1-ranked Andy Cruz are ignored?

“I got two names. Teo is front line, and Lamont is right behind him,” said Shakur Stevenson to TMZ Sports about who he wants to fight next. “So, depending on how much money they’re offering and which one makes the most sense, I’ll fight Teofimo Lopez or Lamont Roach.”

Fans on social are concerned that Shakur is milking his WBC title, and the reason he wants to fight Roach is because he’s a light-hitting super featherweight. They bellieve Shakur is intentionally ducking 2020 Olympic gold medalist Andy Cruz because he knows the risk involved with the fight.

“I think with Teo, it would bump me up on that pound-for-pound list because he’s a pound-for-pound kind of guy. I think that would be a good fight. Also, Lamont is on his high horse because of what he did with Tank. Either option is amazing for me,” said Shakur.