Shakur Stevenson has reacted to the news that he has been stripped of his WBC Lightweight World title.

The 28-year-old pound-for-pound star moved up to super-lightweight this past weekend to relieve Teofimo Lopez of his WBO belt, putting in a truly exceptional performance to win almost every round on the scorecards.

Moving back down to lightweight is an option for the now four-division world champion, but if he does so, he will not be a champion there. In a statement released today, the WBC announced that the title Stevenson won back in November of 2023 has now been declared vacant.

“In light of Champion Stevenson now being the reigning WBO Super Lightweight World Champion and consistent with the WBC Rules & Regulations, the WBC has declared vacant its Lightweight World title.

“The WBC wishes Champion Stevenson continued success in all his future endeavors, both inside and outside the ring.

“The WBC will provide further information regarding the process to crown a new Lightweight World Champion in the near future.”

Despite the well wishes, Stevenson did not take the decision kindly. Responding on social media shortly after the announcement, he said:

“And I just paid these dudes after my last fight… What the hell [am I] giving y’all 100k right now for? Because y’all got beef with Bud so come at me for it.”

“100k to some crooks who don’t deserve it? Nah Leilani I rather give it to you baby girl… The WBC didn’t even have s–t to do with this fight and it’s eating them alive. Take your belt it don’t make me.”

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Stevenson refers to the WBC’s recent run-in with Terence Crawford – a close friend, mentor and training partner – who was stripped of his own green and gold super-middleweight belt for, according to the sanctioning body, not paying the relevant fees. Crawford, who had won the title alongside the three other major straps by beating Canelo Alvarez, retired shortly after, but not before delivering a scathing rant on the WBC.

Stevenson’s next move remains up in the air, though pushing for another title with the World Boxing Council may be out of the question.

The Dallas Mavericks pulled another big one, trading away Anthony Davis to the Washington Wizards. They sent the 10-time All-Star to the capital along with Jaden Hardy, D’Angelo Russell and Dante Exum.

In exchange, they received Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham, Marvin Bagley III, 2 first-round picks and 3 second-round picks. The Mavs now have some draft capital to work with in other trades or if they want to rebuild around their young star Cooper Flagg.

Here is an updated depth chart for the Wizards with their latest additions:

The Wizards(13-36) are in 14th place in the Western Conference standings and have a low chance of making the playoffs this season. Tanking is a better option for them, given that they have resources to build around their young core.

Anthony Davis now has an opportunity to start fresh and redeem himself after having an injury-prone season with the Mavericks. He played only 20 games while averaging 20.4 points, 11.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists on 50.8% shooting.

Why did the Mavericks trade Anthony Davis to the Wizards?

The Mavericks’ trading Anthony Davis raises a few eyebrows, given that the 10-time All-Star was a significant piece that Dallas received in the Luka Doncic trade. The Mavs most likely traded away Davis to start a new era in Dallas centered around their young star, Cooper Flagg.

Apart from Anthony Davis, the trade involved Jaden Hardy, D’Angelo Russell and Dante Exum, all key rotational players in Jason Kidd’s team. Sending them away signals a fresh start.

The Mavs traded away more veteran players and received more younger players. Jaden Hardy (23) was the only player below 25 years old to leave Dallas, while Khris Middleton (34) is the only player above 30 years old to arrive in Dallas as a part of the trade. The trade also had positive financial implications for the team.

NBA insider Bobby Marks listed the trade benefits for the Mavericks in a tweet on Wednesday.

“The Mavericks now have the resources, starting with a likely lottery pick (and a late first) and financial/roster resources to build their roster around Cooper Flagg,” Marks wrote. “Dallas has $150M in guaranteed money next year, well below the tax and apron. For this season, Dallas drops below the luxury tax and both aprons. They have flexibility in the next 24 hours to continue building up their draft assets.”

The Mavericks (19-31) are in 12th place in the West standings and have a low chance of making the playoffs this season. So, building for the future is the best possible option they could have gone for in their current position.