Shakur Stevenson, the undefeated WBC lightweight champion and Rio Olympic silver medalist, has announced his retirement from professional boxing.

The announcement comes amidst a controversial decision by the World Boxing Organization (WBO) that seems to have sparked Stevenson’s abrupt decision.

The 26-year-old Newark southpaw, known for his impeccable record of 21-0 and 10 KOs, expressed his frustration and disenchantment with the boxing world in a social media post. Witness the boxing world champions in action with attractive betting odds from Nextbet. 

He stated, “I’m officially retiring from the sport of boxing. I’ll be in the gym forever perfecting my craft and helping the next generation become great and chase their dreams, but I ain’t fw this weak boxing game.”

The catalyst for Stevenson’s retirement appears to be a recent WBO decision. The organization announced that their vacant lightweight title would be contested by Emanuel Navarrete and Denys Berinchyk, explicitly leaving Stevenson out of the title race. This decision clearly didn’t sit well with Stevenson, who expressed his disappointment, calling the situation “nauseating and disgusting.”

Adding to the complexity of the situation, this WBO announcement coincided with news that Vasily Lomachenko and George Kambosos will fight for the vacant International Boxing Federation (IBF) lightweight title. 

This development suggests that Top Rank, the promotion company Stevenson is associated with, is focusing on other fighters. This strategic choice by Top Rank, led by Bob Arum, could be influenced by the fact that Stevenson’s contract is due to end this year, leading to uncertainty about his future.

Shakur Stevenson’s decision to retire has sent ripples through the boxing community. His talent and skill have made him one of the most prominent figures in the sport. His last performance against Edwin de Los Santos demonstrated his exceptional ability, making the situation even more perplexing for fans and analysts.

As Stevenson contemplates his future and weighs his options, the decision by Top Rank and the recent WBO announcement remain at the forefront of this unfolding drama. The boxing world awaits further developments, hoping perhaps for a resolution that could see this talented young boxer reconsider his decision to retire. Get the latest updates from the world of boxing only on Nextbet Sports.