Shakur Stevenson Open to Teofimo Lopez Clash in January

Shakur Stevenson is ready to chase greatness once again. The three-division champion is “very receptive” to facing WBO junior welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez in January, according to a representative close to negotiations. Talks are being advanced by Saudi Arabia’s Turki Alalshikh. Who has made a habit of staging boxing’s biggest matchups in recent years.

Stevenson on Board, Lopez Courted

Stevenson (24-0, 11 KOs) has already given his verbal approval to the terms, and he’s been pushing Lopez (22-1, 13 KOs) on social media to commit as well. Lopez has expressed interest publicly, though the Stevenson camp remains cautious, mindful of how Lopez pulled out of talks earlier this year for a potential clash with Devin Haney. Haney instead will move up to welterweight to face Brian Norman Jr. in November.

What’s at Stake

The proposed bout would be historic for Stevenson. Coming off his dominant win over William Zepeda on July 25. The Newark native would be fighting for a title in a fourth weight class at just 27 years old. A victory over Lopez would also bolster his pound-for-pound case and add another elite American name to his resume.

For Lopez, the matchup would mark his second defense of the WBO 140-pound belt he won against Josh Taylor in 2023. Lopez most recently fought on May 2, cruising to a unanimous decision over Arnold Barboza Jr. in Times Square.

Keyshawn Davis in the Mix

The WBO is also keeping Lopez active in its rankings picture. Keyshawn Davis, Stevenson’s close friend and fellow Olympic silver medalist, petitioned to become Lopez’s next mandatory challenger. Should Davis defeat Alfredo Santiago, he would be positioned for a title shot. Stevenson has already suggested his plan is to beat Lopez in January, then let Davis “inherit” the belt at 140.

A Legacy-Defining Fight

A Stevenson-Lopez bout would pit two of America’s most decorated young champions against one another in a fight with high stakes for divisional supremacy and pound-for-pound standing. With Saudi Arabia’s financial backing and both men trading verbal jabs, the stage is being set for one of the biggest fights of early 2026.