The WBC interim lightweight title will now be on the line for O’Shaquie Foster vs. Stephen Fulton Jr. in their battle this Saturday.
WBC steps in to save the fight
After Fulton’s two-lb weight loss for Foster’s WBC super featherweight title, the WBC stepped in to save the day by putting their interim lightweight title on the line for their contest. The fight will not be for O’Shaquie’s WBC 130-lb title.
Box insider Carlos Linares revealed the news that the interim 135-lb title is being made available to Foster-Fulton.
Earlier on Friday, Fulton (23-1, 8 KOs) came a few pounds over the limit at 132 for his fight against Foster (23-3, 12 KOs) for their 12-round fight at the Foster Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. Fulton had three attempts on the scale but was unable to make it to the 130-lb limit.
Why this change can be a blessing
Some fans on social media are furious with the WBC changing things up by making their interim lightweight available. This is a great move on their part because they are making the best of a bad situation. At least with this move, it brings more meaning and value to the Foster vs. Fulton Battle.
Road to full champion status
What people forget is that on January 31, 2026, WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson is chasing another belt at 140 against WBO light welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez.
Winner can replace Shakur at 135
So, Shakur basically relinquished his WBC 135-lb title, and there’s no guarantee he’ll return to reclaim it. He is talking about moving up to welterweight in April to take on Conor Benn. Stevenson isn’t even talking about returning to 135 to defend his WBC title. So why wouldn’t the sanctioning body look elsewhere to give other needy fighters a chance to capture their coveted title?
It makes sense that the WBC would put its interim lightweight title on the line for Saturday’s Foster-Fulton contest. That way, they can elevate the winner to full champion if Shakur continues to chase paydays at 140 and 147. He can’t just drop his belt and leave it without the sanctioning body stepping in to give other fighters a chance. It is the fair thing to do.
Last updated on 12/05/2025
