Shakur Stevenson forfeits title belts after missing weight prior to Newark bout

failed to make weight for his Friday night homecoming bout against Robson Conceicao, announcing on Twitter that he would prioritize his health and forfeit his WBC and WBO junior lightweight world titles.on Thursday afternoon. “I’ve been professional my whole career and made weight, but my body just can’t make 130 anymore. My health has to come first. I’m moving up to 135 in my next fight.”at the Prudential Center, will go on as scheduled.

The news, in boxing circles, is not a surprise. Stevenson, 25, had been expected to move up to the loaded lightweight division soon because of the better competition — and paydays — that would await him there. He is 18-0 with nine knockouts and is coming off his best performance to date, a unanimous decision against previously unbeaten rival Oscar Valdez.

At 135, Stevenson’s potential foes include undisputed champion Devin Haney, Ukrainian champion Vasiliy Lomachenko and Gervonta “Tank” Davis. But, first, he’ll face Conceicao , a Brazilian who is best known for winning the lightweight gold medal at the 2016 Olympics in front of his home fans in Rio de Janeiro.

“Honestly, I’m just ready to fight,” Stevenson said at a press conference in Newark this week. “I’m not really focused on the pressure. I don’t care about all that. I’m really focused on putting in the work on Friday night. I’m just ready to fight at the end of the day. All I can think about is fighting and performing. That’s everything that’s on my mind.”

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