STATUS OF THE WBC LIGHTWEIGHT DIVISION -FEBRUARY 2026

On January 31, 2026, WBC World Lightweight Champion Shakur Stevenson gave a brilliant performance to  defeat WBO World Super Lightweight Champion Teofimo López.  Champion Stevenson is now a 4-time World Champion; a feat achieved by a few boxers in history.  Among those boxers we find Oscar De La Hoya, Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao, Canelo Alvarez and Terrence Crawford.

Throughout his career, Champion Stevenson has maintained a historic and extraordinarily successful relationship with the WBC. His ascent to the top began in January 2019, when he captured the WBC Continental Americas title; signaling the start of a career destined for greatness.

In 2022, Stevenson solidified his elite status by defeating Oscar Valdez to become the WBC Super Featherweight Champion. Subsequently, in 2023, he moved up to the lightweight division to claim the Green and Gold belt; a title he defended with pride and technical mastery on three consecutive occasions.

In light of Champion Stevenson now being the reigning WBO Super Lightweight World Champion and consistent with the WBC Rules & Regulations, the WBC has declared vacant its Lightweight World title.

The WBC wishes Champion Stevenson continued success in all his future endeavors, both inside and outside the ring.

The WBC will provide further information regarding the process to crown a new Lightweight World Champion in the near future.