A blockbuster showdown between Shakur Stevenson and Teofimo Lopez is edging closer, with negotiations for a January fight in Saudi Arabia said to be making significant progress.
Stevenson, fresh off a dominant win over William Zepeda in July, has verbally agreed to terms presented by Turki Alalshikh, according to a representative close to the talks. The bout would give the New Jersey star an opportunity to become a four-division world champion by challenging Lopez for his WBO junior welterweight title.
Lopez, who last fought in May with a clear decision win over Arnold Barboza Jr., has expressed interest on social media, though Stevenson’s camp remains cautious given Lopez’s earlier withdrawal from negotiations for a planned November fight with Devin Haney. Haney has since moved up to welterweight to challenge Brian Norman Jr. for the WBO crown.
At 28, both Stevenson and Lopez sit firmly in the pound-for-pound conversation, and their budding rivalry has already spilled onto social media. Stevenson has teased Lopez to “sign the contract,” while hinting that his long-term plan involves defeating Lopez and then allowing his friend and fellow Olympian Keyshawn Davis to inherit the 140 lbs belt.
For now, the pieces are aligning: Stevenson is receptive, Lopez is intrigued, and Saudi Arabia is willing to stage it. If finalized, January could bring one of the most high-profile all-American showdowns of recent years.
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