It has finally been confirmed when Teofimo Lopez and Shakur Stevenson will meet.
The pair have gone back and forth for months over their planned match-up, and it has now been officially announce that they will square off in New York City on January 31, with Lopez putting his WBO super-lightweight title on the line.
After a reign as unified lightweight world champion, Lopez moved up to 140lbs and won the WBO belt back in June 2023 with a unanimous decision victory over Josh Taylor, and made two underwhelming defences in 2024 against Jamaine Ortiz and Steve Claggett.
He looked back to his best back in May though, when he overcame previously unbeaten Arnold Barboza Jr at Times Square in New York, paving the way for this showdown with Stevenson.
Stevenson is a three-weight world champion, with previous reigns coming at featherweight and super-featherweight before he became WBC lightweight champion in November 2023.
Just like Lopez, Stevenson had to endure criticism for lacklustre defences against Artem Harutyunyan and Josh Padley, but then also put in a career-best performance in his last outing, defeating William Zepeda by unanimous decision at the Louis Armstrong Stadium in New York.
Both men have spoken out on the clash, with Stevenson making his thoughts perfectly clear.
“I have never shied away from a challenge and always chased the biggest fights in the sport because I know I am one of the best boxers in the world. Teofimo Lopez will learn that firsthand on January 31 when I take his belt and show him that there are levels to this game. New York, get ready for a spectacular performance as I take over a fourth straight weight division.”
Lopez was also in a confident mood with his comments.
“Duck, Duck, Goose! Are you ready for New York City? Brick city in the concrete jungle, so let’s get ready to rumble! The Takeover is here to stay, not play. Make Boxing Great Again is my forte. Shakur will fall in line.”
The fight will serve as the first major action of 2026, and should certainly be a bout that kicks the year off in style.
