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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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Fabio Wardleys Team Advocates for Strict Foul Monitoring Against Daniel Dubois

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"Fabio Wardley's Team Advocates for Strict Foul Monitoring Against Daniel Dubois"

Fabio Wardley’s team wants tighter control of Daniel Dubois’ head-first attacks in Saturday’s rematch, with manager Michael Ofo calling for stronger officiating after their first fight.

The concern is about Wardley being able to punch without Dubois driving into him with his head. Those collisions can interrupt an attack, knock a fighter out of position, and make him hesitate before throwing again.

Dubois recovered from two knockdowns to stop Wardley in May and take the WBO heavyweight title. Ahead of their return at London’s O2 Arena, Ofo has accused the champion of leading with his head and using a tackle during that fight.

“We’re calling for a stronger referee, because it’s needed,” Ofo told Sky Sports Boxing.

Dubois’ trainer Don Charles rejected the criticism, describing the opposing camp’s complaints as “insecurity and weakness.”

Wardley’s camp has a reasonable case for asking the referee to watch those entries closely. When Dubois comes forward behind his punches, head contact can make it difficult for Wardley to plant his feet and counter. Intent is difficult to establish, but repeated collisions still need attention.

That becomes especially important if Wardley hurts Dubois again. He needs the opportunity to follow up without a foul interrupting his work and giving the champion time to recover.

However, Wardley cannot build his approach around the referee intervening. His jab has to give Dubois something to get past, and combinations would make him less predictable than loading up on individual power shots. Moving after punching could also reduce the opportunities for Dubois to drive into him.

Wardley showed he could hurt Dubois in the first fight. The harder task is turning those moments into a finish while avoiding another punishing battle at close range. Firmer officiating could help, but his own adjustments will have to do most of the work. Wardley cannot rely on the third man to solve that puzzle.

If Dubois is going to be stopped from barreling in head-first, Wardley has to make the physical cost of doing so intolerable, just like Oleksandr Usyk did.

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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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