Frank Martin accused of ducking Shakur Stevenson
Two-weight world champion Shakur Stevenson (20-0, 10KO) is all set to fight for the vacant WBC lightweight world title, but there’s just one problem – the Newark native can’t find an opponent for love nor money!
Undefeated southpaw Stevenson has had just one fight at 135 – a sixth round stoppage of Shuichiro Yoshino – but, given his success in two previous weight classes, finds himself mandatory for a shot at the vacant belt, while Devin Haney is the champion-in-recess.
The green and gold 135lbs belt was recently vacated by Devin "The Dream" Haney, who will move up to super-lightweight to challenge champion Regis Prograis, thus becoming ‘champion in recess’ at lightweight.
Vasily Lomachenko was offered the bout, followed by Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz, but according to WBC President, Mauricio Sulaiman, both fighters turned down the opportunity.
It naturally fell to WBC #2 Frank Martin, an undefeated southpaw just like Stevenson. His team, PBC, reportedly struck a deal with Top Rank for the fight to land on ESPN this November, cancelling any need for the scheduled purse bids.
Now, ESPN’s Mike Coppinger reports that Martin’s side has pulled the plug when presented with the contract.
"Shakur Stevenson is willing to fight anybody in and around his weight class," Top Rank spokesperson Evan Korn told ESPN. "The fact that so many fighters have turned down the challenge is a testament to his greatness. It's disappointing that the fans will be deprived of such a highly anticipated matchup."
WBC Lightweight Top 15
1. Shakur Stevenson
2. Frank Martin
3. Vasyl Lomachenko
4. Isaac Cruz Jr.
5. William Zepeda
6. Edwin de los Santos
7. Jamaine Ortiz
8. Shuichrio Yoshino
9. Raymond Muratalla
10. George Kambosos Jr.
11. Maxi Hughes
12. Keyshawn Davis
13. Denys Berinchyk
14. Zaur Abdullaev
15. Artem Harutyunyan
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