Shakur Stevenson is gearing up for what could be the biggest year of his professional career, starting with his upcoming showdown with Teofimo Lopez.
The unbeaten 28-year-old from New Jersey is set to challenge countryman Lopez for the WBO world super-lightweight title at Madison Square Garden on Saturday January 31.
Victory for Stevenson would see the American become a world champion in a fourth weight class, having already held world honours at featherweight, super-featherweight and lightweight.
He was last in action back in July when he defeated Mexico’s William Zepeda via unanimous decision at the conclusion of their clash at the Louis Armstrong Stadium in New York City, making the third defence of his WBC lightweight title in the process.
Speaking on social media recently, Stevenson vowed to deliver his ‘greatest year yet’ as he targets a potential clash with Britain’s Conor Benn after he faces Lopez later this month.
“Teo —> Conor 2026 Will be my greatest year yet!”
Teo —> Conor 2026 Will be my greatest year yet! https://t.co/Odiw9zKWpX
— Shakur Stevenson (@ShakurStevenson) November 25, 2025
Benn expressed an interest in facing Stevenson shortly after he defeated fierce rival Chris Eubank Jr in their highly-anticipated rematch at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on November 15.
The 29-year-old Londoner has revealed that he is planning on dropping back down to welterweight ahead of his next outing after he made the move up to middleweight for his two encounters with Eubank.
One thing that may stand in the way is that Stevenson, who will make his debut at 140lbs against Lopez, would want a rehydration clause on Benn in the 147 ranks, perhaps only allowing him to weight 157 on the morning of the fight. It’s something the Brit, despite Eubank going through that for both of their fights, is not keen on.
