Why was Shakur Stevenson stripped of junior-lightweight titles ahead of Robson Conceicao boxing fight?

Shakur Stevenson is unbeaten in the ring, almost nearly unstoppable. However, he does not have a winning record when it comes to the weigh-ins. 

The 25-year-old will fight Robson Conceicao on September 23 inside the Prudential Center. A former featherweight champion, Stevenson was ready to defend the WBC, WBO, and The Ring junior-lightweight titles. 

Now Conceicao is the only one that can walk out of New Jersey as champion. 

MORE: Sign up to watch Shakur Stevenson vs. Robson Conceicao on ESPN+

Why was Shakur Stevenson stripped of his junior-lightweight titles

At the weigh-ins before fight night, Stevenson came in 131.6 pounds, over the 130-pound limit for a champion. He gave a look of surprise when the weight was announced. Conceicao came in at 129.6 pounds. Stevenson did not attempt to strip for a second attempt on the scales. 

Unified champion Shakur Stevenson weighed in at 131.6 pounds for tomorrow’s junior lightweight title bout.

That’s 1.6 pounds over championship weight ⚖️ #StevensonConceicao pic.twitter.com/js5BETWQCw

— ESPN Ringside (@ESPNRingside) September 22, 2022

The southpaw then had two hours to make weight. Instead, he opted to not attempt an additional cut. Stevenson was immediately stripped of the titles not long after. Only Conceicao can win gold when they fight on Friday. 

Stevenson beat Jamel Herring in October 2021 for the WBO title and Oscar Valdez this past April for the WBC and The Ring titles. 

MORE: How to bet Stevenson vs. Conceicao

What’s next for Shakur Stevenson? 

Per Stevenson’s social media, he will be heading to the lightweight division. This would be Stevenson’s third weight jump since 2019-2020. He won the WBO featherweight title against Joet Gonzalez in 2019 before moving to the junior-lightweight division. 

I gave it my all. 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.

— Shakur Stevenson (@ShakurStevenson) September 22, 2022

“I gave it my all. 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.”

Stevenson joins a lightweight division full of stars, including Devin Haney, Gervonta Davis, Ryan Garcia, Vasiliy Lomachenko, Joseph Diaz, and Maxi Hughes. 

MORE: Boxing’s top 25 under 25

When is Shakur Stevenson vs. Robson Conceicao? 

• Date: Friday, September 23
• Undercard: 5:30 p.m. ET 
• Main card: 10 p.m. ET
• Main event: 11:30 p.m. ET (Approximate)

Shakur Stevenson vs. Robson Conceicao will be taking place on September 23. The undercard is set to start at 5:30 p.m. ET. The main card begins at 10 p.m. ET. Stevenson and Conceicao should be making their way to the ring around 11:30 p.m.ET, depending on how long the undercard fights last. 

How to watch Shakur Stevenson vs. Robson Conceicao

• ESPN, ESPN+, ESPN Deportes

The Stevenson vs. Conceicao main card will be airing on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+. The undercard will be airing exclusively on ESPN+. 

MORE: Sign up to watch Shakur Stevenson vs. Robson Conceicao on ESPN+

Shakur Stevenson vs. Robson Conceicao price: How much does the card cost?

You will need to pay $9.99 a month for a monthly subscription to ESPN+ or an annual subscription for $99.99/yr. The Stevenson vs. Conceicao fight won’t be an additional cost to current ESPN+ subscribers. 

Shakur Stevenson vs. Robson Conceicao fight card

Main card

• Shakur Stevenson (c) vs. Robson Conceicao for the WBC, WBO, and The Ring junior-lightweight titles
• Keyshawn Davis vs. Omar Tienda; Lightweights

Undercard

• Jahi Tucker vs. Jose Luis Sanchez; Welterweights
• Bruce Carrington vs. Jose Argel; Featherweights
• Armani Almestica vs. Omar Urieta; Lightweights
• Pablo Valdez vs. Noe Alejandro Lopez; Welterweights
• Orlando Gonzalez vs. Misael Lopez; Featherweights
• Floyd Diaz vs. Eduardo Diogo; Junior-Featherweights