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Stevenson takes over Lopez’s title and becomes four-division champion

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4 months ago

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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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Boxing

Ryan Garcia wants to train with Naoya Inoue in Tokyo and broadcast it live

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2 hours ago

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June 5, 2026

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Image: Ryan Garcia Wants To Train With Naoya Inoue In Tokyo And Stream It

The proposed sessions would bring together two world champions from different weight categories. Ryan currently holds the WBC welterweight title and Inoue is the undisputed junior featherweight champion.

A notable part of Ryan’s post was his willingness to stream workouts.

One of the things Ryan mentioned in his X post was his desire to stream workouts. Ryan didn’t say whether he would bring the idea to Naoya to see if he agreed with it or not, nor did he give a date when he would train with the Japanese star.

At this stage, Ryan’s comments appear to reflect purpose rather than final findings. Although he has publicly outlined the plan, Inoue has not announced any potential training session.

If training takes place, they will bring together champions separated by more than 20 pounds in weight. Ryan is fighting in the welterweight division, and Inoue is building his championship streak in the junior featherweight division.

The idea remains one Ryan hopes to implement during his visit to Tokyo, with the added possibility of giving fans a glimpse of the session via livestream.

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Tyson Fury ‘very interested’ in fighting ‘one of the most avoided heavyweights’: ‘Let’s do it’

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4 hours ago

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June 5, 2026

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Tyson Fury ‘very interested’ in facing ‘one of the most avoided heavyweights’: “Let’s make it happen”

Tyson Fury is set to take part in the long-awaited clash with Anthony Joshua, but first he needs a warm-up. Now another challenger has been added to the fight, and Fury is “very interested” in the proposed fight.

The long-awaited clash between Fury and Joshua has finally been signed and will take place pending success in their tune-up fights. While Joshua is scheduled to face Kristian Prenga next month, Fury remains without an opponent for his August outing.

Promoter Frank Warren promised a “good” opponent but he recently ruled out the possibility of the “Gypsy King” facing Joshua’s former defeater Andy Ruiz Jr., who is believed to have priced himself out of the fight.

I’m talking to Play UKJoshua’s other rival, Jarrell Miller, has revealed that Fury is “very interested” in fighting him as he discusses a potential all-American clash with Deontay Wilder.

“I’ve been one of the most avoided heavyweights for a long time. We’re seeing it now. We’re trying to get Deontay Wilder out there. There’s no fight in front of him. I’m the top heavyweight in America right now, so we’re trying to make certain things happen. Let’s see if he can take control.”

“Tyson Fury is also very interested. I would love to fight these guys. Deontay or Tyson would be a wonderful fight for me. Let’s see if we can make it happen.”

Fury’s manager, Spencer Brown, recently confirmed both fighters’ desire to make the fight happen, but said Miller would likely not be able to complete a full training camp on time.

The American has already scored two victories in 2026, defeating both Kingsley Ibeh and Lenier Pero, and the 37-year-old hopes those triumphs will earn him another chance on the huge stage.

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Zuffa Boxing Dublin card confirmed for August 8 at 3Arena

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6 hours ago

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June 5, 2026

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Zuffa Boxing has announced that its first event in Ireland, branded Zuffa Boxing 10, will take place on Saturday, August 8 at the 3Arena in Dublin. Organizers of the promotion, headed by Dana White, said details about the main event, joint performance and ticket sales will be announced soon.

According to the promotion, the card will be broadcast on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland and streamed on Paramount+ in the US and Canada. Its broadcasts in the UK and Ireland are covered by a long-term contract with Sky Sports announced in March.

The expected headliner of the Cork middleweight gala will be Callum Walsh (16-0, 11 KO). according to 42 and Irish boxing, although Zuffa has not confirmed this card. Walsh won Zuffa Boxing’s debut event on January 23 in Las Vegas with a unanimous decision over Carlos Ocampo and has not fought since. The Cobh native, trained by Freddie Roach, fought mainly in the United States, but once boxed in Dublin, headlining the 3Arena gala after his victory over Przemysław Runowski.

The 42 reports that Monaghan’s Aaron McKenna (20-0, 10 KO) is set to be the main support for an IBF middleweight world title fight against Italian Etinosa Oliha (22-0, 10 KO). Both pairs are expected to fight for the vacant belt that became available after Janibek Alimkhanuly was stripped of his belt following a failed anti-doping test. McKenna is third in the IBF rankings and Oliha is second.

Dublin will be Zuffa Boxing’s second card outside the United States. The first event, Zuffa Boxing 07, will take place this Saturday at the Bournemouth International Center in England, where former world cruiserweight champion Chris Billam-Smith will face Ryan Rozicki in a 10-round cruiserweight main event.

The August 8 date means the Dublin gala will take place a week after Queensberry Promotions’ show at the same venue, headlined by Pierce O’Leary against Mark Chamberlain, with Tyson Fury scheduled to appear.

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