WBC lightweight number four Frank Martin has turned down a fight with second-ranked Shakur Stevenson, with the vacant WBC title at stake.
It was previously reported that promotional companies Top Rank and TBG Promotions had come to a financial agreement for the fight between Stevenson and Martin.
Top Rank spokesperson Evan Korn said to ESPN:
Shakur Stevenson is willing to fight anybody in and around his weight class. The fact that so many fighters have turned down the challenge is a testament to his greatness.
Martin last stepped into the ring against Artem Harutyunyan in July of this year. That fight lasted the entire distance and ended in Frank's favor by unanimous decision of the judges. He has 18 wins (12 by knockout) without a single loss.
Stevenson's last fight was against Shuichiro Yoshino in April of this year. In this confrontation, Shakur won by technical knockout in the sixth round. He has 20 wins (10 by knockout) and no losses.