WBC Explains $120K Fee and Title Status After Stevenson Move to 140

Shakur Stevenson’s lightweight title was vacated after the WBC ruled his team failed to file the written petition required to pursue another weight while holding the belt. President Mauricio Sulaiman said the request was approved verbally but never formalized under championship rules.

Speaking in a recent interview with Chris Mannix, Sulaiman addressed Stevenson’s claim that he was stripped for refusing to pay a sanctioning fee, confirming that a $120,000 figure was set but disputing that money was the deciding factor.

Why the WBC Vacated Stevenson’s Lightweight Belt

According to Sulaiman, Stevenson’s management contacted the WBC seeking permission for Stevenson to compete in another weight class while remaining lightweight champion. Sulaiman said the request was discussed verbally and approved in principle at the WBC convention, but equired formal written clearance under WBC championship rules.

Sulaiman said that written authorization was never submitted, despite multiple follow ups, and that the situation ultimately resulted in the title being vacated under WBC rules

As part of the process, Sulaiman confirmed that the WBC assessed a $120,000 sanctioning fee tied to the request. He said the figure was based on standard percentage guidelines and would have been adjusted if Stevenson’s team had provided purse documentation.

The WBC has maintained that similar requests have been approved in the past when submitted formally, pointing to other champions who were allowed to compete outside their division while retaining their titles under the same written petition process.

“It is not about the money,” Sulaiman said during the interview, adding that fighters seeking to hold a WBC title while competing for another organization’s belt must comply with the same procedures.

Stevenson Responds as Division Moves Forward

Stevenson, who defeated Teofimo Lopez to win the WBO and Ring junior welterweight titles, has publicly criticized the fee, writing on social media that he would rather give the money to his daughter and telling the WBC to take the belt.

The WBC has since listed the lightweight title as vacant, with the division moving forward under interim status. The lightweight picture now changes  with the belt vacant and contenders circling.