Lopez vs Stevenson set for January 31st in NYC — Fans are already split

By Elliot Raines: Shakur Stevenson vs. Teofimo Lopez is a golden “done deal” for New York City on January 31, 2026. The fight fans have been clamoring for is finally happening.

Fans Cry “Garbage Matchup”

The news revealed today by DAZN commentator Chris Mannix on X. Stevenson (24-0, 11 KOs), a native of Newark, New Jersey, will move up from lightweight to fight New Yorker Teofimo (22-1, 13 KOs) for his WBO light welterweight title on his home turf in NYC.

Not all fans are excited about this match, consider it as “rubbish” between two counterpunchers who are both waiting for the other to throw. Outside the ring, it will be entertaining to listen to them during the buildup. But instead of the squared circle, it will be a chess match.

Matias and Russell would have hit better

For fighters like Teo and Stevenson, they have to be compared to aggressive fighters who bring non-stop heat. That’s the only way to make it entertaining. It would have been better if they fought light welterweight champions Subriel Matias or Gary Antuanne Russell.

“From what I’ve been told, it’s a done deal. We’re going to get Teofimo against Shakur in New York on the last weekend of January. January 31st is the target date right now,” Chris Mannix said. DAZN Boxing about the Teofimo Lopez vs Shakur Stevenson.

“I don’t necessarily like that fight in the ring. I think it has the potential to be a stinker based on the styles of both guys. But Shakur is the top dog at 135 lbs. Teofimo is the top man at 140 pounds,” Chris said.

Lopez is the most popular fighter at 140, but he is far from the “top man”. There are probably four better fighters than Teofimo, starting with Gary Antuanne Russell. The other three are Subriel Matias, Keyshawn Davis and Ernesto Mercado.

Turki’s possible role

It is unknown if Turki Alalshikh will finance this fight. If so, he should remind Teofimo and Shakur that he doesn’t have a will “Tom and Jerry” fight. This can help them withstand combat in their standard styles. Lopez used to be a puncher when he fought at 135. But since moving up to 140, he’s become a carbon copy of Shakur with his hit-and-don’t-hit style.

Lopez’s last fight was against Arnold Barboza Jr. on May 2, 2025 was one of the dullest on Turki Alalshikh’s Times Square map. He used the Shakur-esque three-foot-step-back style all night, rarely engaging and boring the small crowd, which was dead silent.

Elliot Raines has been covering British and European boxing since 2010. Known for his sharp pen and low tolerance for hype, Raines analyzes the sport’s politics, promoters and paper champions with dry precision.