Stevenson-Lopez boxing title fight all set for January 2026

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Fight fans, buckle up, because another blockbuster boxing title fight will take place on Jan. 31, 2026.

On Dec. 2, 2025, Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, announced that Shakur Stevenson and Teofimo Lopez will square off for 140-pound boxing supremacy, headlined as “The Ring 6.”

According to the boxing promoter, Stevenson will be moving up from lightweight to junior welterweight and will challenge Lopez, who is currently the World Boxing Organization (WBO) and The Ring’s 140-pound king.

“This fight between two huge talents will provide an exciting start to our plans for 2026 as we look to create another great year of boxing events around the world,” said Alalshikh.

After several shots were fired during the last two years, Stevenson and Lopez will finally have the chance to settle the score—not on social media, but in a real boxing ring this time.

Lopez is currently riding a six-fight winning streak and will attempt a fourth successful title defense since dominating Josh Taylor at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Crafty, explosive, and equipped with a tremendous shoulder-roll defense, Lopez has shown efficient progression in his fighting style since losing for the first time to George Kambosos Jr.

From a purely aggressive attack, Lopez learned to use his counterpunching at the most timely moments in a fight; proof of that are his one-sided victories over Arnold Barboza Jr. and Steve Claggett.

When fight night comes, Lopez will aim to improve his impressive professional boxing record, which stands at 22 wins, 13 knockouts, and one loss.

On the other hand, Stevenson will be fighting in uncharted territory after spending the last few years defending his title in the lightweight division.

Before bidding farewell to his pet division, Stevenson pulled off a clinical performance against Josh Padley—who was knocked down three times, resulting in a TKO win—and edged William Zepeda Segura at the Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens.

Out of 24 professional bouts, Stevenson has yet to lose a single fight and will be putting his undefeated record on the line against Lopez.

Boxing analysts have tagged the showdown as a chess match for the ages, with both fighters heavily relying on their opponents’ tendencies to set up counterattacks.

Although failing to floor Segura, Stevenson showed he can adjust to any fighting style as he finally cracked the code in the sixth round, banking on a never-ending left hook–right jab combination.

“We are looking forward to returning to New York in January and producing another big world title fight that fans have been waiting for,” added Alalshikh.