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Teofimo Lopez announces a “substantial gift” for 2026 – Shakur Stevenson is coming

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Image: Teofimo Lopez Says He’s Waiting for “Big Gift” in 2026 — and Everyone Knows It’s Named Shakur Stevenson

Teofimo Lopez said last Saturday night that he has “great gift” waiting for him in 2026. When asked to confirm that his fight with Shakur Stevenson is scheduled for January 2026, he opted to keep fans waiting for the news to be officially announced.

Teofimo, Speaking in riddles

Details of the fight have already been revealed by DAZN commentator Chris Mannix, who revealed that Teofimo (22-1, 13 KO) will defend the WBO welterweight title against Stevenson on January 31, 2026. Rumor has it that the gala will take place at Madison Square Garden in Up-to-date York.

“That’s what they say. So they keep talking,” Teofimo Lopez said Fighting Hub TV when asked for his thoughts on his fight with Shakur Stevenson being confirmed for early 2026. “I say wait a few weeks or less. I know I’m in for a substantial gift in 2026 and I’m excited about it.”

Teofimo is waiting for the event organizers to announce the fight between him and Stevenson before speaking publicly about it. Boxing fans want to know if this is happening or not because they have seen Lopez’s fights in the past fall low for various reasons.

A career lifeline for Shakur

This fight will, in a sense, save Shakur’s career because if it hadn’t happened, he would have been forced to defend his WBC lightweight title against challengers waiting to dethrone him: Andy CruzRicardo Nunez and Jadier Herrera. These are contenders who can finish what William Zepeda started last summer, on July 12.

Teofimo works well against Shakur because he is a delicate counter puncher and rarely finds the net. So his style fits perfectly with Stevenson’s pure boxing approach.

Lopez could receive the highest award of his career for this fight. So it’s understandable why he sees the fight against Stevenson (24-0, 11 KO) as a “substantial gift.” This is less risky for Teofimo than if he were to face one of the 140-pound champions such as Gary Antuanne Russell, Subriel Matias or Richardson Hitchins.

The only thing Lopez would have to worry about in a fight against immaculate boxer Shakur is losing a 12-round decision in a fight that will likely resemble an amateur points fight. This is how Stevenson fights because of his breakable hands.

Lopez, Avoiding the Wolves

In terms of entertainment, there are better fights for Teofimo than for Shakur. But these are the ones he would have a good chance of losing, as in the case of these wolves:

  • Gary Antuanne Russell
  • Keyshawn Davis – *Teo WBO mandatory at 140
  • Subriel Mathias
  • Brian Norman Jr.
  • Devin Haney
  • Ryan Garcia

Last update: 11/09/2025

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Daniel Dubois vs Fabio Wardley 2: Round-by-Round Live Updates and Results

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Daniel Dubois vs Fabio Wardley 2: Round-by-Round Live Updates and Results

Daniel Dubois will face Fabio Wardley in a rematch of a heavyweight slugfest from earlier this year, with Dubois defending the WBO heavyweight title he took from Wardley on that night.

Live coverage will kick off at 2 pm ET, and we’ll have results and updates during the four-fight, main card undercard, then live, round-by-round scoring and updates for the main event itself.

How to watch Dubois vs Wardley 2

Start time: 2:00 pm ET for main card, prelims begin at 11:00 am ET

Streaming: DAZN (Ultimate subscription or Pay-Per-View)

PPV Cost: As a standalone, one-off purchase Pay-Per-View, the price is $59.99 (or £24.99). With DAZN’s Ultimate tier, the show is included as part of your subscription.

Location: O2 Arena – London, England

Dubois vs Wardley 2 full undercard and running order

Live Stream: Dubois vs Wardley 2 Prelims

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Mannix and Mora Support Fabio Wardley in Quest for Vengeance

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"Mannix and Mora Support Fabio Wardley in Quest for Vengeance"

Fabio Wardley can turn his early success against Daniel Dubois into a rematch victory if he avoids exhausting himself chasing the finish. He proved he could hurt Dubois in their first fight. The harder task is keeping control when an opponent he has dropped continues coming forward.

Wardley scored two early knockdowns before Dubois recovered and stopped him. That leaves an opening for a different result, although better pacing alone may not be enough to prevent another punishing night.

Chris Mannix and Sergio Mora both back Wardley to win again on Saturday, with Mannix choosing him by stoppage. Mora believes Wardley’s eagerness to finish Dubois helped undo his promising start.

“If he just doesn’t punch himself out, he thinks about setting up that right hand, doesn’t get right hand happy,” Mora said to DAZN Boxing.

That is the adjustment Wardley needs to make under pressure. Once Dubois survived his biggest punches, Wardley needed something beyond another loaded right hand. Working behind his jab and putting punches together would give him more ways to attack without spending everything on a single finish.

Dubois deserves credit for surviving those knockdowns and returning to his jab. Mora believes his previous defeats helped him stay composed when Wardley hurt him. Wardley now has his own experience of a fight turning against him.

“I think he’ll be smarter after this fight. I think he’ll learn some lessons,” Mannix said. “I think Wardley wins by stoppage in this fight.”

Mannix’s biggest concern is what the first beating took out of Wardley. Learning the tactical lesson does not guarantee he will absorb Dubois’ punches the same way in the rematch.

Wardley’s power gives their picks a credible foundation. He has already put Dubois down twice. To complete the job, he needs to create another opening without allowing the pursuit of a knockout to leave him exhausted and exposed again.

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Boxing247.com is an independent boxing news publication covering the sport since 2001. It provides original reporting, fight analysis, schedules, results, and informed coverage of major fighters and events worldwide, backed by more than 25 years of professional boxing journalism.

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Bam Rodriguez Proposes March Fight, But Inoue Eyes New Opportunities

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"Bam Rodriguez Proposes March Fight, But Inoue Eyes New Opportunities"

Jesse Rodriguez is willing to meet Naoya Inoue in March, yet that timeline still depends entirely on the undisputed champion waiting for him. Inoue may prefer an earlier ring return, which would leave Rodriguez on the outside looking in as he continues handling business at bantamweight.

Trainer Robert Garcia revealed that Rodriguez can make a March date work, moving up his original April or May target. Still, the camp intends to take on WBO champion Christian Medina in December first.

Robert confirmed the updated outlook to The Ring: “I previously said April or May, but we can be ready for March.”

While that shortens the wait, early 2027 remains unresolved. Turki Alalshikh pointed toward a January appearance in Japan. Eddie Hearn mentioned February or March instead. Clear alignment on a date is completely absent.

Rodriguez must fulfill a contract before New Year’s Eve, with Garcia eyeing December 11 or December 19 against Medina. The camp figures Rodriguez can enjoy the holidays, then jump straight into camp for Inoue.

That expectation rests on an ideal outcome against Medina. Cuts, bruised knuckles, or an unexpectedly brutal bout could easily force Rodriguez to take extra recovery time. Inoue would effectively be pinning his calendar on a fighter who still has to survive another bout first.

Inoue is already eyeing an eventual jump to featherweight. Sitting around waiting for Rodriguez to finish his stay at 118 pounds makes little sense for the Japanese star.

Garcia admitted neither he nor Hearn has received an official approach to begin talks. The public chatter is moving much faster than the paperwork.

Putting March on the table does not guarantee Inoue’s cooperation. If March works on both sides, the matchup can happen. If Inoue wants to fight sooner, Rodriguez will either have to scrap his December plans or watch this major fight slip away.

Bam is acting like someone who wants the glory of calling out Inoue without actually taking the risk of meeting him on his terms.

When a fighter gets an invitation to share a ring with the sport’s biggest pound-for-pound attraction, they drop everything. They do not tell the undisputed champion to take a number and wait until spring because Christian Medina is on the calendar. That makes zero sense. A routine belt grab against Medina does nothing for Rodriguez’s profile, brings in a fraction of the money, and accomplishes very little that fans care about.

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BoxingNews24.com has delivered independent boxing coverage since 2007, including original news, fight analysis, schedules, and results. Our experienced boxing writers cover major fighters and events worldwide, with published content reviewed by editors for accuracy.

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