Boxing
Stevenson takes over Lopez’s title and becomes four-division champion
Published
3 months agoon
Shakur Stevenson humiliated and humiliated Teofimo Lopez with his boxing version of the perfect match on Saturday night, winning the WBO junior welterweight title by unanimous decision at Madison Square Garden in Fresh York.
Stevenson (25-0, 11 KO) promised to make the Lopez fight look simple, and he did, with all three judges scoring the fight 119-109. In the process, Stevenson became the fastest fighter to become a four-division champion.
“I took it apart and did what I had to do,” Stevenson said. “That’s the art of boxing – hit and don’t get hit, and pick guys apart. I told you all I’m the best fighter in the world and I stand by that.”
Stevenson, 28, has long felt he was overlooked and disrespected despite the accolades he received as an Olympic silver medalist and three-division champion. He saw peers like Ryan Garcia, Devin Haney, Gervonta Davis and Lopez receive acclaim while feeling criticized for a safety-first style that rarely led to losing innings. In July, he was forced into the co-main event against William Zepeda to prove he could put up electrifying fights.
Before Saturday night, Stevenson told ESPN that his performance would force the world to accept and respect him.
That’s exactly what he did, holding a master class against another pound-for-pound fighter in a matchup between two newborn boxers in their prime.
Stevenson, who entered the fight as the No. 7 pound-for-pound fighter in ESPN’s rankings, moved up to the 140-pound weight class after winning the featherweight, junior lightweight and lightweight world titles, losing what was considered a size advantage to Lopez, who was ranked No. 10 in the pound-for-pound rankings, according to ESPN.
Lopez (22-2, 18 KO) entered the fight as the lineal junior welterweight champion, defeating former undisputed champion Josh Taylor and future star Vasily Lomachenko. He promised to crack the code of Stevenson’s brilliant defense and berated his opponent in the build-up to the fight.
None of this mattered because Lopez had difficulty committing any significant crime against Stevenson, who stood right in front of him and performed the autopsy with relative ease.
With a powerful push and quick reflexes, Stevenson tamed the aggressive Lopez from the first bell. Instead of moving around the ring, Stevenson kept the court in the middle, tearing apart Lopez and demoralizing him as the rounds went on. Lopez’s father and trainer were confused and instead of offering helpful instructions, they began urging his son to continue practicing.
“I saw it on tape,” Stevenson said. “I watched him and I knew my jab would kill him. I told everyone that before the fight. I said they would say that after that fight I got the best jab in boxing because I saw where he was delicate and I took advantage of it.
“I felt like I was a stronger fighter. I felt like I was faster. I was smarter and smarter.”
Lopez was desperate for answers, but she never stopped trying. He was down 78-23 after six rounds, but he continued to throw punches, and every time Stevenson got into the action, the bell rang repeatedly as he charged in, and his left eye was cut open.
By the end of the fight, Stevenson’s brilliance had increased statistically. He landed 165 of 372 punches (44%) compared to Lopez’s 72 of 468 (15%).
“Every dog has his day,” a humble Lopez said after the defeat. “So congratulations to Shakur.”
Following the victory, Stevenson challenged Conor Benn, who last fought Chris Eubank Jr. in November at 160 pounds. While the move up to 140 pounds was another weight bump for Stevenson, it looks like he’s not done taking risks in the face of the toughest challenges as he looks to be recognized as the best fighter in the world.
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Many fans on social media suspect that Miller is once again chasing Joshua just to secure a huge payday, which he threw away when failed drug tests canceled their 2019 fight.
Joshua wants a tune-up before he finally meets Tyson Fury. The plan is to shake off the rust and keep his record pristine before this huge event happens. This gap in the schedule gives other heavyweights a chance to make their voices heard, and Miller takes advantage of the moment.
Miller is still a controversial name, but he knows how to cause offense. Beating Pero would aid him prove that he still belongs in this conversation.
“Your whooping cough will come sooner or later. You can run, but you can’t hide,” Jarrell Miller said on Matchroom.
From a business perspective, Joshua’s team is focused on the Tyson Fury event. Facing an aggressive, volume hitter like Miller in a comeback fight would be risky. If Joshua wins, critics may view it as defeating a challenger who has spent years outside the elite mix. If he loses, Fury’s payout and his position will take damage.
Miller has built much of his reputation on noise and confrontation, but he’s still trying to fight his way into the majors. A victory over Pero won’t put him in a fight with Joshua right away, but it will keep him in the wider discussion.
Joshua’s team may still choose the safer and more controlled option of a return, especially if negotiations with Fury progress behind the scenes. Risking that payday against a hazardous or inconvenient opponent wouldn’t make much sense.
Still, Miller continues to cling to the story whenever Joshua’s name resurfaces in the headlines. Heavyweight boxing has a long memory, and some unfinished fights remain useful long after the first fall.
Olly Campbell is a boxing journalist covering this sport since 2014, providing reports from the ring and technical analyzes of the most vital fights. His work focuses on fighter tendencies, tactical adjustments and the details that shape high-level competition.
Boxing
Terence Crawford names one fight he would like to see against Gervonta Davis this year
Published
2 hours agoon
April 25, 2026
Terence Crawford has named an opponent he would “love to face” with Gervonta Davis in his expected return to the sport.
The former world champion hasn’t fought since March 2025, when many felt he was lucky to draw with Lamont Roach.
Nevertheless, “Tank” retained the WBA lightweight title and was scheduled to face Roach in an immediate rematch before negotiating an exhibition match with Jake Paul.
But instead of spending time with the YouTuber-turned-boxer, Davis was forced to deal with domestic violence allegations from his former partner, Courtney Rossel.
Since then The 31-year-old was recognized by the WBA as a “breaktime champion”.urged by No. 1 contender Floyd Schofield to book their fight or give him a free shot at the title.
Davis, however, has expressed greater interest in a rematch with Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz at 140 pounds, even though he passed the Mexican in 2021.
Meanwhile, Crawford has no desire to watch “Tank” fight Schofield or Cruz, but he would happily sit back and watch him clash with Shakur Stevenson.
I’m talking to Danielle Pirello“Bud” called the WBO super lightweight world champion the perfect opponent for Davis, believing their potential meeting would be one of the best fights that could be had.
“I’d like to see Shakur vs. ‘Tank’ Davis.”
Stevenson had previously called on Davis to sign a contract several times, perhaps making him increasingly doubtful whether the Baltimore player would ever sign.
Therefore, it is unrealistic to expect an immediate fight between “Tank” and Stevenson, especially after the latter’s dominant performance against Teofimo Lopez in January.
Boxing
Deontay Wilder’s opponents are leaving after Anthony Joshua’s snub
Published
3 hours agoon
April 25, 2026
Two credible opponents emerged after Deontay Wilder vs. Anthony Joshua finally fell after an eight-year battle for the fight.
As World Boxing News documents from start to finish, after nearly a decade of back-and-forth, a Wilder-Joshua fight is no longer an option.
Joshua now has bigger fish to fry in the UK in 2026 as the former two-time heavyweight champion pushes for a British superfight with Tyson Fury.
Promoter Eddie Hearn effectively ruled out Wilder as a warm-up opponent, leaving the Londoner’s next moves without the “Brown Bomber” involved.
After the summer warm-up, Fury’s double will follow and by the time Joshua is finally free, Wilder will be 42 years aged.
This causes Wilder to look elsewhere.
Deontay Wilder’s opponents
Joshua’s compatriot Moses Itauma has already called for a fight, putting himself in a risky clash with one of the best fighters in the division.
Itauma is already shunned and would be seen as a bad turn for Wilder.
However, what stands out is a potential Pay-Per-View showdown in the United States with Andy Ruiz Jr.
The two were linked to fights between 2020 and 2023, when, ironically, the Tyson Fury trilogy stalled before Ruiz’s contract situation made any agreement impossible.
As previously reported by WBN, talks on financial terms were finally broken off when the fight was already clearly decided.
The interest never went away. WBN also revealed how fan demand for the Wilder vs. Ruiz match had skyrocketed, generating millions of views as fans insisted that the fight would finally happen.
Now, after their September showdown at Allegiant Stadium, Wilder vs. Ruiz is the front-runner if either fighter is to return to the heavyweight world title hunt.
Following Joshua’s departure from the table, Wilder’s next move is under scrutiny and calls for a rematch with Derek Chisora are met with an extremely lukewarm reception.
Whether he takes on an emerging name like Itauma or returns to unfinished business with Ruiz, this decision will impact how he re-enters the heavyweight scene.
The title isn’t out of the question for Wilder, but the next move has to be the right one.
About the author
Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Since 2010, he has interviewed world champions, published exclusive international performances and reported on in-ring performances. His work is distributed on major platforms including Apple News. Read the full biography.
Jarrell Miller tries to break into Joshua’s plans
Terence Crawford names one fight he would like to see against Gervonta Davis this year
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