Boxing fans are getting an early-year treat as a great fight takes center stage Saturday night, when Teofimo Lopez Jr. (22-1) faces Shakur Stevenson (24-0) at New York’s historic Madison Square Garden.
Lopez’s WBO and Ring junior welterweight titles are on the line as Stevenson, the reigning WBC lightweight champion, moves up in weight for one of the biggest challenges of his career.
Lopez burst onto the scene with a 16-0 start and rose to become unified lightweight champion before suffering a stunning upset loss to George Kambosos Jr. in November 2021.
Since that setback, Lopez has won six straight fights—sometimes grinding out narrow victories against opponents he was expected to dominate, and other times flashing the elite skill set that once made him one of boxing’s brightest stars.
GettyNEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 30: Shakur Stevenson and Teófimo López face off during the Ring 6 weigh in at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on January 30, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images)
Shakur Stevenson, Teofimo Lopez Took Different Roads
Stevenson enters undefeated, having unified titles at junior lightweight before moving up to lightweight, where he has successfully defended his belt three times.
Stevenson’s biggest criticism has been a tendency to fight conservatively, producing bouts that undersold his immense talent. He sought to change that narrative in his most recent outing, delivering a dominant performance against William Zepeda by standing toe-to-toe with a dangerous opponent and winning nearly every exchange.
Lopez, meanwhile, has made waves throughout the buildup, turning press events into must-watch theater. The usually cool and composed Stevenson appeared unsettled by Lopez’s unpredictable antics, as Lopez continues to evolve into one of boxing’s premier showmen.
GettyNEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 30: Teófimo López walks onto the stage during the Ring 6 weigh in at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on January 30, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images)
The uncertainty surrounding the outcome only adds to the intrigue. A Ring Magazine poll shows 60% of readers favoring Stevenson, while major media predictions remain split. For Stevenson, a loss would end his perfect record at just 28 years old and potentially damage his marketing potential. Both fighters are the same age, and both are widely regarded as among the elite of the elite in terms of raw talent and athleticism, making this one of the biggest fights currently available in the sport.
What Are the Fighters Backgrounds?
Stevenson has the backing of Terence “Bud” Crawford, who recently retired undefeated after the biggest fight of his career against Canelo Alvarez. A proud product of Newark, New Jersey, Stevenson is named after Tupac Shakur—who was killed nine months before Stevenson was born—and is an Olympic silver medalist.
Lopez, born in Brooklyn to Honduran immigrant parents, delivered one of the defining boxing moments of the decade when he upset Vasiliy Lomachenko by unanimous decision in September 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. An earlier breakout moment came in December 2018, when Lopez knocked out Mason Menard in the first round, then celebrated by donning Kyler Murray’s Oklahoma jersey and striking the Heisman pose.
Not known primarily for knockout power, this matchup is likely to go the distance in a battle of stamina, skill and athleticism. But it’s boxing—and anything can happen.
Where to watch Lopez vs. Stevenson
- Date: Saturday, Jan. 31
- Location: Madison Square Garden — New York
- Start time: 6 p.m. ET (main event approx. 10:30 p.m. ET)
- How to watch: DAZN (dazn.com or the app)
- Price: $69.99
Teofimo Lopez vs. Shakur Stevenson: Records, What to Know, Odds, How to Watch