Shakur Stevenson has officially backed Lamont Roach Jr. to defeat William Zepeda when the two contenders meet for the vacant WBC lightweight title on August 1, 2026. The former 135-pound champion, who was stripped of the belt earlier this year, expressed his confidence in his fellow American via social media, predicting a dominant performance in the upcoming Las Vegas headliner.
Stevenson’s endorsement carries significant weight given his history with both the division and the contenders. He successfully defended the WBC lightweight title against Zepeda in July 2025, winning a wide unanimous decision (119-109, 118-110, 118-110) by neutralizing the Mexican’s high-volume aggression. By siding with Roach Jr., Stevenson is backing a technical specialist he believes can replicate that success against Zepeda’s pressure-heavy style.
Shakur Stevenson predicts a dominant win for Lamont Roach Jr.
Taking to X on July 5, 2026, Shakur Stevenson offered a blunt assessment of the vacant title clash. “I got Roach over Zepeda ngl [not going to lie] and I lowkey got it BTA,” he wrote, using shorthand to imply the victory will be one-sided. This prediction aligns with Stevenson’s view of Roach Jr. as a skilled technician capable of orchestrating a composed victory against the relentless “Camaron” Zepeda.
Lamont Roach Jr., a 30-year-old from Washington, D.C., enters this championship opportunity following high-level performances against elite opposition. In December, he faced Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz at 140lbs, resulting in an enthralling draw. Earlier that year, he fought to an “egregious” draw against Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis, a result many observers deemed unfortunate after Roach Jr. was denied a clear 10-8 round in the ninth frame that would have earned him Davis’ WBA title.
The vacancy of the WBC lightweight world title
The championship vacancy was created after a fractured relationship between Stevenson and the World Boxing Council (WBC). On Saturday, January 31, 2026, Stevenson defeated Teofimo Lopez at Madison Square Garden to capture the WBO junior welterweight title, as well as The Ring and lineal championships at 140 lbs. This victory brought Stevenson’s professional record to 25-0 with 11 KOs.
Following this win, the WBC officially declared its lightweight title vacant on Wednesday, February 4, 2026. The organization stated that Stevenson was stripped because champions cannot hold belts simultaneously with other governing bodies in separate weight classes where they do not hold WBC titles. Stevenson, however, alleged that the decision was fueled by his refusal to pay a $100,000 sanctioning fee for the Lopez fight—a contest in which no WBC belt was at stake.
The impact of sanctioning fees on elite fighters
Stevenson has been vocal about his dispute, referring to the WBC as “crooks” via social media. “100k to some crooks who don’t deserve it? Nah, Leilani [his daughter], I’d rather give it to you, baby girl,” he posted. This financial friction mirrors a reported dispute involving Stevenson’s close friend and mentor, Terence Crawford, who was stripped of his super-middleweight title in December 2025 for refusing to pay a reported $300,000 sanctioning fee for his fight against Canelo Alvarez.
While these disputes often complicate championship landscapes, Stevenson has made it clear that the loss of the physical belt does not diminish his standing in the sport. His transition to 140 lbs marked his attainment of world titles in four different divisions, leaving Roach Jr. and Zepeda to fight for the “jewellery” he left behind.
William Zepeda seeks redemption against a technical rival
For William Zepeda, the August 1 fight is a chance to move past his only professional defeat. Currently ranked as the No. 1 contender by the WBC, Zepeda has not fought since his loss to Stevenson.
His relentless pace often overwhelms opponents, but the boxing world is watching to see if he has adjusted his approach to handle technicians who prioritize defensive responsibility and timing. The Mexican boxer, known as “Camaron” Zepeda, boasts a formidable record and an aggressive style that causes problems for many. However, Stevenson’s dominant performance against him offers a blueprint for how to defuse that aggression.
Lamont Roach Jr. will look to capitalize on the vacancies Stevenson’s move created. Having already held a World Boxing Association (WBA) super featherweight title from 2023 to 2025, Roach Jr. is familiar with the pressure of championship levels. If he can maintain the form shown against Davis and Cruz, he may finally secure the lightweight world title that narrowly eluded him in previous controversial draws. Roach Jr., at 30 years old, is an orthodox fighter with a 68-inch reach, suggesting a more calculated approach compared to Zepeda’s southpaw style and slightly longer 69.5-inch reach.
Golden Boy Promotions presents the lightweight title bout
The fight between Roach Jr. and Zepeda for the vacant WBC lightweight title is set to headline a Golden Boy Promotions card in Las Vegas. This August 1 showdown is a significant event for the 135-pound division. Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions, established in 2002, is known for staging high-profile boxing events. They are giving both fighters a major platform to claim a prestigious world title and establish themselves as top contenders in the division.
Reflecting on Stevenson’s WBC lightweight reign
Shakur Stevenson’s tenure as WBC lightweight champion, though controversial in its ending, was marked by consistent dominance. He initially claimed the title in November 2023 with a unanimous decision victory over Edwin De Los Santos in Las Vegas. That night, the scorecards read 116-112, 116-112, and 115-113, reflecting a clear win for Stevenson.
He then defended the title three times, culminating in his July 2025 win against William Zepeda. Stevenson’s ability to adapt and control fights against different styles solidified his position as a pound-for-pound elite during his time at lightweight. His move up in weight has reshaped the landscape for aspiring champions.
The evolving lightweight division landscape
The departure of Stevenson has significantly altered the 135-pound division, opening doors for a new generation of champions. While the August 1 bout will crown a new WBC titleholder, the division remains stacked with talent. Gervonta “Tank” Davis currently holds the WBA lightweight title, presenting another championship target for the winner of Roach Jr. versus Zepeda.
Beyond the immediate contenders, the WBC lightweight rankings for February 3, 2026, show a competitive field. William Zepeda, despite his loss to Stevenson, remains the No. 1 contender. Lamont Roach Jr. is ranked No. 2, right behind Zepeda. Jadier Herrera holds the interim championship, securing that secondary belt in January with a stoppage win over Ricardo Nunez. Other compelling fighters in the top five include Andy Cruz at No. 3, Dzmitry Asanau at No. 4, and Sam Noakes occupying the No. 5 spot.
What’s next for the new WBC lightweight champion?
The winner of the Lamont Roach Jr. vs. William Zepeda fight will instantly become a prime target for unification bouts. The boxing world will watch to see if the new champion can rise to the challenge of facing other titleholders like Gervonta Davis. Ultimately, that would be the path to truly cementing their legacy in a division that has recently seen a shift in power. Whether the new champion can follow in Stevenson’s footsteps and establish long-term dominance remains to be seen. But the August 1 fight is undoubtedly a critical step in defining the future of the lightweight division.
Stevenson, for his part, appears unbothered by the WBC’s decision, focusing instead on his new chapter at junior welterweight. His prediction for Roach Jr. against Zepeda shows he’s still connected to the division, offering his insight into a compelling matchup.
It’s a compelling storyline that proves even a stripped title can still generate significant buzz and top-tier competition. The Newark, New Jersey native, who earned a silver medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics, is now a four-division titleholder, a testament to his continued success across weight classes. His 25-0 professional record, with 11 knockouts, speaks to his sustained dominance.
Fans can look forward to seeing the future of the lightweight division unfold on August 1 as Roach Jr.
