Ali Akbar RosadyShakur Stevenson delivered a career-defining performance, thoroughly outclassing Teofimo Lopez en route to a unanimous decision victory in their highly anticipated main event clash on Saturday night, January 31, at New York City’s iconic Madison Square Garden. The fight, which aired live on DAZN pay-per-view, saw Stevenson secure a dominant victory with all three judges scoring the bout 119-108 in his favor, underscoring his complete control over the former unified lightweight champion.
Entering the bout, Teofimo Lopez, known widely as "The Takeover," held a professional record of 22 wins and 2 losses. Lopez had previously captured unified lightweight world titles, earning significant acclaim for his explosive power and dynamic fighting style, most notably in a memorable victory over Vasiliy Lomachenko. His journey through the professional ranks had seen him face and overcome formidable opposition, establishing him as one of boxing’s most compelling figures. On the other side of the ring stood Shakur Stevenson, an undefeated prodigy with a pristine 25-0 record. An Olympic silver medalist, Stevenson had rapidly ascended through multiple weight classes, earning a reputation for his exceptional defensive capabilities, supreme boxing IQ, and slick southpaw technique. The contest was billed as a pivotal moment for both fighters, with Stevenson aiming to cement his status as a pound-for-pound elite and potentially claim a world title in a fourth weight class, while Lopez sought to reassert his dominance and prove his versatility at the elite level.
The atmosphere at Madison Square Garden was electric, a fitting backdrop for a contest that pitted Lopez’s aggressive, power-punching style against Stevenson’s elusive, technical mastery. From the opening bell, Stevenson’s strategy became immediately apparent: control the distance with his jab, utilize his superior footwork, and counter Lopez’s advances.
Round 1: The initial exchanges saw Lopez attempt to establish his formidable right hand, but Stevenson’s defensive instincts and quick reflexes were on display early. Lopez landed a jab to the body and missed a right, while Stevenson responded with a crisp jab to Lopez’s face and a left to the body. Lopez pressed forward, launching a fast left that narrowly missed, but Stevenson connected with a good left hand to Lopez’s head. Lopez doubled up with rights to the body and head in the closing moments of a tight round. MMA Fighting scored the round 10-9 for Stevenson, setting the tone for what was to come.
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Round 2: Stevenson’s corner emphasized continued jab work between rounds, a directive he executed flawlessly. He opened with a series of jabs, following up with a left hook to the body. Stevenson landed a left to the head, but Lopez immediately fired back with a right. Stevenson’s lightning-quick counter right to the body landed as Lopez attempted to jab. An aggressive advance by Lopez resulted in Stevenson slipping to the canvas, though no knockdown was ruled. Stevenson’s jabs continued to find their mark throughout the round. MMA Fighting scored the round 10-9 for Stevenson, extending his lead to 20-18.
Round 3: Official broadcast numbers after two rounds revealed Stevenson’s efficiency, with 18 punches landed compared to Lopez’s 7. Stevenson maintained his rhythm, landing another solid jab. As Lopez advanced, Stevenson made him pay with a short right to the head. Stevenson varied his attack with jabs to both the head and body, frequently smiling at Lopez, a clear sign of his growing comfort and confidence in the ring. Lopez managed a good right to the body during a brief close-quarters exchange, but Stevenson’s composure remained unshaken, his smile a taunt. MMA Fighting scored the round 10-9 for Stevenson, making it 30-27 overall.
Round 4: Lopez launched a combination that failed to connect, and Stevenson capitalized immediately with a barrage of jabs. Stevenson then unleashed a solid uppercut, followed by a body shot counter that visibly shook Lopez, drawing a palpable reaction from the Madison Square Garden crowd. The tension mounted as Stevenson landed a clean one-two combination, his speed proving a significant challenge for Lopez. Stevenson connected with a strong left hand to the face as the round concluded. MMA Fighting scored the round 10-9 for Stevenson, widening the gap to 40-36.
Round 5: Lopez’s father urged him to increase his aggression, acknowledging his son’s inability to inflict significant damage thus far. Lopez responded with a more aggressive posture, but Stevenson continued to land quick, sharp jabs. A clash of heads briefly halted the action, but Lopez’s late right hand attempt was easily defended by Stevenson. MMA Fighting scored the round 10-9 for Stevenson, pushing the overall score to 50-45.
Round 6: The advice from Lopez’s corner shifted to attacking the body. Lopez’s increased aggression, however, was consistently stifled by Stevenson’s relentless jab. Lopez struggled to close the distance without absorbing a jab. A rush forward from Lopez led to Stevenson landing a jab, causing Lopez to trip and fall, though again, no knockdown was awarded. Stevenson’s confidence was evident, smiling at Lopez after another jab halted an attack. Lopez missed a right hand, and visible blood began to emerge from Lopez’s left eyebrow, a testament to Stevenson’s accurate punching. MMA Fighting scored the round 10-9 for Stevenson, making it 60-54.
Round 7: Lopez appeared to have no answer for Stevenson’s calculated offense and impenetrable defense. Stevenson’s jabs continued to land with precision, preventing Lopez from establishing any meaningful offense or getting within range to land significant power shots. Lopez attempted to switch stances in an effort to find a solution, but it proved ineffective. Stevenson added a well-placed body shot to his repertoire. MMA Fighting scored the round 10-9 for Stevenson, with the score now 70-63.
Round 8: Frustration from Lopez’s corner was evident, with his father exclaiming, "What happened to your f*cking power, bro?" He implored Lopez to use his jab and hurt Stevenson, but Lopez continued to miss most of his thrown punches. Punch statistics through the first seven rounds highlighted Stevenson’s efficiency, having landed 33 power shots compared to Lopez’s 18. Lopez finally showed signs of life, attacking the body and countering Stevenson’s jab with a good right to the head. However, Stevenson’s jabs reopened the cut on Lopez’s face, drawing more blood. Lopez unleashed a late flurry, but it mostly landed on Stevenson’s guard. MMA Fighting surprisingly scored this round 10-9 for Lopez, bringing the overall score to 79-73 for Stevenson, marking Lopez’s only perceived success of the night.
Round 9: Despite Lopez’s father showing some satisfaction between rounds, the blood continued to flow down Lopez’s face from Stevenson’s incessant jabs. Lopez appeared slightly more comfortable in the ninth, landing a solid right hook and a left hook to the body. He attempted another combination, but Stevenson countered effectively with a left to the head. MMA Fighting scored the round 10-9 for Stevenson, re-establishing his dominance with an 89-82 lead.
Round 10: Before the start of the tenth round, Stevenson confidently addressed the broadcast team, stating, "I told you all." A broadcast commentator aptly described the contest as "like a grownup boxing a kid," a stark observation on Stevenson’s command of the fight. Stevenson’s jab continued to dictate the range, keeping Lopez at bay. Lopez’s left eye was now covered in blood, and despite his attempts to be aggressive, Stevenson’s defensive mastery and consistent offense rendered him ineffective. MMA Fighting scored the round 10-9 for Stevenson, making it 99-91.
Round 11: The penultimate round saw Stevenson’s jabs continue to find their target with clinical precision. A perfectly timed check right hook landed as Lopez charged forward. Lopez managed to land two shots to the body—a left and a right—and a left hook to the head, but Stevenson merely smiled back, unfazed. A perfect left hook then snapped Lopez’s head back. Lopez, bloody and visibly battered, absorbed right hand after right hand. MMA Fighting scored the round 10-9 for Stevenson, bringing the overall score to 109-100.
Round 12: Entering the final round, Lopez required nothing short of a miracle, having won only one of the preceding eleven rounds on the MMA Fighting scorecard. Stevenson, on the cusp of history, was just three minutes away from securing a world title in a fourth weight class. He maintained his composure and control, delivering jabs and hooks throughout the round, demonstrating his complete mastery. The fight concluded without further drama, with Stevenson making history through a dominant display of boxing skill. MMA Fighting scored the final round 10-9 for Stevenson, concluding their unofficial tally at 119-108.
The official result mirrored the comprehensive nature of Stevenson’s performance, with all three ringside judges submitting identical scorecards of 119-108. This emphatic unanimous decision victory solidified Shakur Stevenson’s position as one of boxing’s most formidable talents, underscoring his exceptional ring generalship, defensive acumen, and relentless offensive efficiency. He effectively neutralized Lopez’s renowned power, rendering "The Takeover" unable to mount any sustained threat.
For Teofimo Lopez, the loss marks a significant setback. Despite his aggression and determination, he struggled to penetrate Stevenson’s defense and land meaningful blows, often appearing frustrated by Stevenson’s elusive movement and consistent counter-punching. The bout will undoubtedly prompt a period of reassessment for Lopez regarding his future trajectory and potential adjustments.
Shakur Stevenson, now a champion in a fourth weight class, stands at the pinnacle of his career, with an undefeated record and a compelling argument for being considered among the sport’s pound-for-pound elite. His future is now ripe with possibilities, including potential unification bouts or challenges against other top-tier champions, as he continues to chase an undisputed legacy in professional boxing.
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