Shakur Stevenson and Shuichiro Yoshino are finalizing a deal for an April 8 fight on ESPN that is expected to determine a new mandatory challenger for the WBC lightweight title, sources told ESPN. No site has been finalized. Stevenson, ESPN's No. 10 pound-for-pound boxer, was stripped of his two 130-pound titles after he failed to make weight for his September bout with Robson Conceicao, which Shakur won via unanimous decision. Now, Stevenson (19-0, 9 KOs) will seek a title in a third weight class. The WBC ordered a title eliminator between Stevenson and Isaac "Pitbull" Cruz, but Cruz is choosing a different path. William Zepeda, who is coming off a dominant victory over Joseph Diaz Jr., was next in line but promoter Oscar De La Hoya tweeted that he passed on the fight because he needs "more exposure for Zepeda to create a super fight with Shakur." == Undefeated featherweight contender Shakur Stevenson is set to face off against Shuichiro Yoshino in a highly-anticipated bout on April 8, 2023. The fight will take place at the Prudential Center, Newark, NJ. and will be broadcasted live on ESPN. The 25-year-old Stevenson, a former WBO featherweight champion, boasts an impressive professional record of 19-0, with 9 knockouts. His last fight was against Robson Conceicao in September 2022, where he dominated the Conceicao with a unanimous decision victory. Stevenson is known for his excellent footwork, quick hands, and defensive skills, making him one of the most exciting prospects in the sport. His opponent, Shuichiro Yoshino, hails from Japan and has a professional record of 16-0 with 12 knockouts. He is coming off a knockout victory over Masayoshi Nakatani in Nov 2022 and will look to upset Stevenson in his home country. While Yoshino is relatively unknown in the United States, his knockout power and aggressive style make him a dangerous opponent for Stevenson. The Shakur Stevenson vs. Shuichiro Yoshino fight is scheduled to start at 10 p.m. ET on April 08, 2023. In addition to the main event, the undercard will feature a number of exciting matchups. For fans who cannot attend the event in person, the fight will be broadcasted live on ESPN, which is available through most cable and satellite providers. Additionally, the fight can be streamed online through the ESPN+ platform for those who have a subscription. Overall, the Shakur Stevenson vs. Shuichiro Yoshino fight promises to be an exciting matchup between two highly skilled fighters. Stevenson will look to continue his winning streak and prove that he is one of the top featherweights in the world, while Yoshino will aim to pull off the upset and make a name for himself on the international stage.