Masterclass at Madison Square Garden
Shakur Stevenson delivered a career-defining performance in New York, outclassing Teofimo Lopez over 12 rounds to become a four-weight world champion and remain unbeaten. Fighting at Madison Square Garden, the 28-year-old Newark southpaw secured victory by unanimous decision (119–109 x3) to claim both the WBO super-lightweight title and the lineal junior welterweight championship.
The numbers underlined the dominance. According to CompuBox, Stevenson landed 165 punches to Lopez’s 72, more than doubling his opponent’s output in a bout contested almost entirely on Stevenson’s terms.
Early Control and Key Moments
From the opening bell, Stevenson’s speed, timing and footwork prevented Lopez from settling. The Brooklyn fighter started aggressively but was repeatedly intercepted by jabs and straight lefts. In the second round, Stevenson briefly went to the canvas, though the referee ruled it a slip rather than a knockdown, and control quickly returned to the challenger.
By the middle rounds, Stevenson’s advantage became clearer. He knocked Lopez off balance in the fourth and landed cleanly through the guard in the sixth. The damage accumulated, and in the 10th round Lopez suffered a cut, with blood streaming from around his left eye as the contest wore on.
Stevenson, advised in his corner by Terence Crawford, maintained composure throughout, dictating distance and tempo while denying Lopez any sustained success.
Unbeaten and Four-Weight Champion
The final bell confirmed what had long felt inevitable. Stevenson swept the scorecards to improve his professional record to unbeaten and add a world title at 140lb to belts already won at featherweight, super-featherweight and lightweight.
Afterwards, he said: “This is the art of boxing: hit and don’t get hit. I picked him apart and I did what I was supposed to do.”
Stevenson Calls Out Conor Benn
The night’s drama continued after the result, as Stevenson turned his attention to Britain’s Conor Benn, who was watching from ringside.
“I want that same rehydration clause you put on [Chris] Eubank Jr — and I want to fight!” Stevenson declared.
Benn entered the ring and responded sharply: “You’re too small for me, bro. You can’t punch.” Stevenson fired back that Benn was “food”, while Benn insisted: “Come up to welterweight with the big dogs.”
Context Around Benn
Benn has not fought since November last year, when he defeated Chris Eubank Jr by unanimous decision, seemingly closing their family rivalry. His in-ring exchange with Stevenson lasted over a minute, with both fighters appearing keen to take the conversation beyond words.
Shakur Stevenson’s victory over Teofimo Lopez was not just a title win but a statement — confirmed by the scorecards, reinforced by the statistics, and capped by a public challenge that could shape boxing’s next major matchup.
