Shakur Stevenson failed to make weight Thursday ahead of his fight vs. Robson Conceicao on Friday in Newark, New Jersey, and will be stripped of his two 130-pound titles, per championship fight rules governed by the WBO and WBC.
The 25-year-old weighed 131.6 pounds and had two hours to shed 1.6 pounds but determined he couldn't lose the excess weight.
"I gave it my all," tweeted Stevenson, ESPN's No. 1 junior lightweight. "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 (18-0, 9 KOs) will be fined by the New Jersey State Athletic Commission and will likely have to forfeit some of his purse to allow the fight to proceed. Stevenson is scheduled to earn $3 million, sources told ESPN. Top Rank is attempting to find a solution so Stevenson and Conceicao can still fight in the ESPN main event, sources said.
Stevenson formerly held a title at 126 pounds. An Olympic silver medalist, Stevenson could seek high-stakes fights with fellow Top Rank boxers Devin Haney, the undisputed lightweight champion, and Vasiliy Lomachenko at 135 pounds.
Conceicao (17-1, 8 KOs), from Brazil, is a 2016 Olympic gold medalist who lost his only title fight a year ago, a decision to Valdez in Tucson, Arizona.
Stevenson, 25, looked impressive in his past two outings, being more aggressive and showing his speed, power and reflexes on defense.
Can Conceicao, 33, keep Stevenson away and frustrate him enough to land his punches and score the upset? Or will Stevenson impose his will and dominate the fight on the inside for the victory?
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