Shakur Stevenson beat Teofimo Lopez Jr. by a wide unanimous decision Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, at a sold-out Madison Square Garden, taking the WBO and Ring Magazine junior welterweight titles in his first fight at 140 pounds, as reported by The Ring.
Stevenson controlled the bout from the opening bell with a steady jab and patient defense. He fought at a distance that suited him, made Lopez miss repeatedly, and forced the defending champion to reset his offense time and again. Judges Max De Luca, Eric Marlinski, and Steve Weisfeld all scored the fight 119-109, giving Stevenson 11 of the 12 rounds.
The matchup was viewed as a serious test for Stevenson at 140 pounds, given Lopez’s history of winning major fights across multiple weight classes. But once Stevenson built an early lead, Lopez struggled to adjust. The tempo stayed in Stevenson’s favor, and sustained momentum never shifted.
Speaking after the fight, Stevenson told DAZN’s Chris Mannix that his performance reflected his core style. “That’s what I’m all about—hit, don’t get hit,” he said, adding that he believes he can beat anyone if he remains focused, according to The Ring.
The win marked Stevenson’s fourth world title in as many weight classes. The Ring reported that he still holds the WBC lightweight title and could return to 135 pounds if the right opportunities do not emerge at junior welterweight. For Lopez, the loss ended his reign at the top of the division and left him searching for answers after a one-sided decision against the new champion.
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