Feb 02, 2026
3 min read
Saku Stevenson has been in a happy office, Teefimololo Lope Lope WBA Junior WRA Junior WRA Junion is wins a piece of sections.
Shakur Stevenson humbled and humiliated Teofimo Lopez in boxing's version of a great match on Saturday night, taking the WBO junior light heavyweight title by unanimous decision at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Stevenson (25-0, 11 KOs) promised the fight against Lopez would look easy, and he delivered, with all three judges scoring the bout 119-109.In the process, Stevenson became the fastest fighter to win four division titles.
"I isolated him and did what I had to do," Stevenson said."That's the art of boxing - hitting and not hitting and picking guys apart. I've told you all along I'm the best fighter on the planet and I stand by it."
Stevenson, 28, has long believed he was overlooked and disrespected despite accolades as an Olympic silver medalist and three-division champion.He watched his teammates including Ryan Garcia, Devin Haney, Gervonta Davis and Lopez win the award as he felt criticized for his emphatic defensive style that rarely cost him defeats.Join the fight against William.Cepeda in July just to prove he could put on an exciting fight.
On Saturday night, Stevenson made it clear that his performance would force the world to accept and respect him.
He did so, putting on a master class of one-pound fighters in a match between two young boxers for the first time.
Entering the fight as the No. 7-ranked pound-for-pound fighter, Stevenson moved up to 140 pounds after capturing world titles at featherweight, junior lightweight and lightweight, giving up a size advantage to Lopez, who was ranked 10 pound-for-pound by ESPN.
Lopez (22-2, 18 KOs) entered the fight as the junior welterweight champion after defeating former champion Josh Taylor and future legend Vasiliy Lomachenko.He vowed to crack Stevenson's great defensive code and criticized his opponent for the fight.
It didn't matter when Lopez tried to throw a sign of offense at Stevenson, who stood in front of him and quickly dismissed him.
Followed by heavy tapping and quick responses.Stevenson dominated the aggressive Lopez out of the opening bell.Instead of moving around the court, Stevenson sets up the court in the middle, isolating Lopez and demoralizing him as he continues to make rotations.Lopez's father and coach were at a loss and tried to guide his son instead of offering helpful instructions.
"I saw it on tape," Stevenson said. "I was watching him and I knew my jab was going to kill him. I told everybody before the fight. I said they're going to say I landed the best jab in boxing after that fight because I saw where he was weak and capitalized on it.
"I thought I was a strong fighter. I thought I was fast. I was smart and sharp."
Lopez was desperate for answers, but he didn't stop trying.He was outscored 78-23 after six innings, but continued to throw punches and each time Stevenson countered, he got a cut above his left eye.
At the end of the fight, Stevenson's brilliance shined in calculation.He landed 165 of 372 punches (44%), compared to Lopez's 72 of 468 (15%).
"Every dog has its day," a humble Lopez said of the loss."So congratulations to Shakur."
After the win, Stevenson challenged Conor Benn, who last fought at 160 pounds in November against Chris Eubank Jr. While the move to 140 pounds is another jump in weight for Stevenson, he isn't risking pursuing tougher challenges there as he aims to be recognized as the best fighter in the world.
