AS we approach the final quarter of 2025, it seems as though confirmation for the first major fight of 2026 is around the corner, as an agreement nears for Shakur Stevenson’s super-lightweight title challenge against Teofimo Lopez.
Lopez, 22-1 (13 KOs), has held the WBO super-lightweight crown for over two years after dethroning divisional poster boy Josh Taylor. Since then he has made three defences of the belt, against Jamaine Ortiz, Steve Claggett and Arnold Barboza Jr. respectively.
However, three-division and reigning WBC lightweight champion, Shakur Stevenson, 24-0 (11 KOs), is seeking to progress further through the weight-classes and make a statement on his super-lightweight debut against arguably the standout fighter at 140lbs.
Whispers of their potential meeting have been uttered over the last couple of months, but at the Canelo-Crawford post-fight press conference, following his generational win, Crawford called for Lopez to accept the fight.
In an interview with Boxing News, Lopez then revealed that an announcement can be expected imminently, with the fight date seemingly being the only remaining hurdle.
“[It will be made official] very soon, up until he, everyone that is putting their money in and all the right people, find the right date.”
That being said, Lopez went on to confirm that he expects the contest to take place in January, before vowing to outclass Stevenson and make a statement of his own when they do eventually meet in the ring.
“Tune in, I see myself really outclassing him and showing a different side that no one has ever seen.
“Yeah, [I believe I will win inside of the distance]. I think that is the only way it is going to make it a true statement to his team, to Crawford and for everyone else that supports Shakur Stevenson.”
Stevenson’s move up to the super-lightweight division could potentially open the door for highly rated Cuban Andy Cruz, 6-0 (3 KOs), to get his hands on lightweight world honours, due to his position as the #1 contender with the WBC.
Should Stevenson trump Lopez and opt to stick around at 140lbs, it is assumed that Cruz would fight the next available contender, currently Panama’s Ricardo Nunez, 26-7 (22 KOs), for the vacant WBC title at 135lbs.
