On January 31, at the legendary Madison Square Garden, Shakur Stevenson is set to take on one of the biggest challenges of his career.
Having made his professional debut in 2017 at 126 pounds, Stevenson will step into the ring at 140 pounds, with his sights set on breaking into the elite of a fourth weight division.
The super lightweight division is one that draws particularly close attention in Quebec. Local fans are following this stacked category closely, with several well-known fighters from the domestic scene competing in it, including Arthur Biyarslanov, Jhon Orobio, Mazlum Akdeniz, Steve Claggett, and Mathieu Germain, to name just a few. Suffice it to say, this showdown between Stevenson and Lopez takes place in a division that leaves no one indifferent here at home.
A silver medalist at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, Stevenson has nothing left to prove from a technical standpoint. A world champion at 126, 130, and 135 pounds, he has established himself as one of the most refined boxers of his generation. Pinpoint footwork, exceptional ring IQ, airtight defense, and one of the highest efficiency rates in the sport, Shakur Stevenson is a surgeon in the ring.
Photo: Boxing News 24/7 – Shakur Stevenson
But this move up to 140 pounds raises a central question:
will his boxing be enough against an opponent who is naturally more powerful and explosive?
Especially since Stevenson made a point of sending a clear message to Turki Alalshikh, promising that he would never see him “play cat and mouse.” It was a loaded statement, suggesting that the American champion is ready to sit in the pocket, accept heavier exchanges, and prove that he can command respect through more than just the finesse of his boxing.
Because across the ring, Teofimo Lopez is no easy assignment.
A former unified lightweight world champion, Lopez made history by handing the legendary Vasiliy Lomachenko, a crafty, mobile southpaw, a clear decision loss. A profile that, in certain respects, echoes that of Stevenson.
In 2023, Lopez confirmed his stature by dominating the previously unbeaten Josh Taylor to capture the WBO super lightweight world title.
Lopez is the complete opposite of Stevenson. Flashy, explosive, and athletic, he thrives on imposing his pace, springing surprises, and landing hard at the right moment. Where Stevenson dismantles, Lopez destabilizes.
Photo: Boxing News 24/7 – Turki Alalshikh
The contrast in styles is fascinating:
• mastery and control versus instinct and power,
• a slow, calculated tempo versus sudden bursts of acceleration,
• precision versus organized chaos.
Stevenson is not known as a big puncher and can at times give away rounds by throwing too little. At 140 pounds, that luxury could prove costly. Lopez, on the other hand, needs only a split second to turn a fight on its head.
This major night of boxing is presented by The Ring, in co-promotion with Top Rank and Matchroom, and the card promises to live up to the main event. Among the other highly anticipated matchups are Keyshawn Davis vs. Jermaine Ortiz, Carlos Adames vs. Austin Williams, and Bruce Carrington vs. Carlos Castro. A stacked undercard that, on its own, is well worth the price of admission.
Photo: ESPN – Teofimo Lopez
American boxer Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller will also be featured on the card, a name that inevitably вызывает some discomfort. I have always struggled with fighters who have tested positive for performance-enhancing substances. In Miller’s case, the facts were undeniable. And yet, he continues to be given opportunities, pushed into the spotlight, and offered lucrative bouts. Personally, it breaks my heart—both for the credibility of the sport and for the athletes who choose to do things the right way.
So, is the step up simply too much for Shakur Stevenson?
Or are we about to witness the birth of a world champion in a fourth division, a rarity that would redefine his legacy?
One thing is certain:
this fight is about far more than a clash of talent.
It is a test of styles, temperaments, and limits…
