Teofimo Lopez defends WBO welterweight title against Shakur Stevenson in New York on January 31 | Boxing News
Teofimo Lopez will defend his WBO super lightweight title against Shakur Stevenson in New York on January 31.
Undefeated Stevenson will attempt to become a four-weight world champion when he moves up from lightweight to challenge Brooklyn’s Lopez, who is making the fourth defense of his WBO belt.
Stevenson, who will also fight just a few miles from his hometown of Newark, New Jersey, retained his WBC lightweight belt in July with a unanimous decision win over William Zepeda, while Lopez sealed a points victory over Arnold Barboza Jr in May.
“I have never backed down from challenges and have always chased the biggest fights in the sport because I know I am one of the best boxers in the world,” Stevenson said.
“Teofimo Lopez will learn it first hand on January 31 when I take his belt and show him there are levels to this game. New York, get ready for a spectacular performance as I take back a fourth consecutive weight division.”
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Lopez produced one of the best performances of his career to defeat Josh Taylor and win his WBO world title at Madison Square Garden.
Lopez, who won the WBO belt with a unanimous decision victory over Scot Josh Taylor in June 2023, made a bold stoppage prediction.
“Duck, Duck, Goose! Are you ready for New York? Brick city in the concrete jungle, so let’s get ready to rumble! The Takeover is here to stay, not to play.
“Making Boxing Great Again is my strong point. Shakur will fall in nine.”
