Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority and owner of Ring Magazine, has confirmed the highly anticipated fight between world 140-pound champion Teofimo Lopez and WBC 135-pound championb Shakur Stevenson (pictured) for Saturday January 31, 2026 in New York City (likely at Madison Square Garden). Brooklyn’s Lopez (21-1, 13 KOs) will be putting his world and WBO junior welterweight titles on the line when he takes on Stevenson, who will be stepping up to 140 for the first time. The fight will be broadcast live, exclusively on DAZN worldwide. This will serve as a fourth title defense for ‘The Takeover’ as he looks to extend his six-fight winning streak following his most recent victory, a unanimous decision win over the previously undefeated Arnold Barboza Jr. during The Ring’s historic Times Square card in May.

For Stevenson, who will also be fighting just a few miles from his hometown of Newark, New Jersey, this represents an opportunity to become a four-weight champion. The southpaw’s most recent fight came just two months after Lopez's triumph, when he claimed a unanimous decision win against mandatory challenger William Zepeda to retain his WBC lightweight belt during July’s event at Louis Armstrong Stadium in New York.

Alalshikh said: “This fight between two huge talents will provide an exciting start to our plans for 2026 and as we look to create another great year of boxing events around the world. We are looking forward to returning to New York in January and producing another big world title fight that fans have been waiting for.”

Lopez said: “Duck, Duck, Goose! Are you ready for New York City? Brick city in the concrete jungle, so let’s get ready to rumble! The Takeover is here to stay, not play. Make Boxing Great Again is my forte. Shakur will fall in nine.”

Stevenson said: “I have never shied away from a challenge and always chased the biggest fights in the sport because I know I am one of the best boxers in the world. Teofimo Lopez will learn that firsthand on January 31st when I take his belt and show him that there are levels to this game. New York, get ready for a spectacular performance as I take over a fourth straight weight division. ”

Further details including ticketing, venue and additional fights on the card will be announced in due course.