Stevenson Calls Out Roach

Shakur Stevenson made it clear who he wants next ahead of Lamont Roach’s fight with William Zepeda.

Stevenson took to social media to make his preference clear and his intentions explicit: "F*** it, Lamont go to work so me and u can bang out for the best 135 pounder on da planet.”

Stevenson wants to establish himself as the best lightweight on the planet, Roach is one of the names he keeps returning to when discussing a return to 135 pounds, and a Roach win over Zepeda would position the matchup as a legitimate statement fight for both men.

A fan pushed back, noting that Stevenson has previously distanced himself from the WBC and questioning why he was pursuing a fight connected to the sanctioning body's championship structure. Stevenson clarified his position without much hesitation: "I will fight the fighter but decline the belt."

The bigger name is Devin Haney, and those negotiations have not gone smoothly. Stevenson has pushed for a 144-pound catchweight, a demand Haney has little incentive to accept. Haney holds the WBO welterweight title and has options that do not require accommodating a challenger's preferred weight. The talks have stalled, and there is no indication they are close to resolution.

A Roach victory creates an alternative high-profile option that keeps Stevenson's name attached to meaningful fights while the Haney situation sits unresolved. It also gives him a credible second offer to point to if he needs leverage in those conversations.