Teofimo Lopez vs. Shakur Stevenson booked to headline The Ring VI on Jan. 31 in New York

One of the most anticipated fights in boxing is finally set to go down on Jan, 31, 2026, as current WBO and The Ring Light Welterweight champion, Teofimo Lopez, will defend his belts against WBC Lightweight champion, Shakur Stevenson in the main event of The Ring VI New York City streaming exclusively on DAZN PPV.

Lopez is currently riding a six-fight win streak and was last seen defeating Arnold Barboza Jr. earlier this year — also in New York — via unanimous decision to improve his overall record to 22-1. Lopez — who was hoping to lock down a fight against Devin Haney — has not secured a knockout in nearly three years, but he hopes to change all of that in 2026 all while handing Stevenson his first-ever defeat.

Speaking of which, Stevenson has been perfect so far in his boxing career, amassing a mint 24-0 record with 11 knockouts to boast off. The 28 year-old is considered one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the game, though he has been criticized by many for his strength of schedule in a division that includes the likes of the aforementioned Devin Haney, Ryan Garcia, Tank Davis, and Pitbull Cruz, just to name a few. His most recent win came over the previously-undefeated William Zepeda, defeating him via unanimous decision this past summer.

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Stevenson has the chance to lock down the biggest win of his career while securing a title in a division five pounds heavier than what he is accustomed to competing in.

“I have never shied away from a challenge and always chased the biggest fights in the sport because I know I am one of the best boxers in the world,” Stevenson told The Ring Magazine. “Teofimo Lopez will learn that firsthand on January 31 when I take his belt and show him that there are levels to this game. New York, get ready for a spectacular performance as I take over a fourth straight weight division.”

For Lopez, a victory over Stevenson will set him up for bigger bouts moving forward and would be his biggest conquest since defeating Vasiliy Lomachenko in Oct. 2020.

“Duck, Duck, Goose! Are you ready for New York City?” he said. “Brick city in the concrete jungle, so let’s get ready to rumble! The Takeover is here to stay, not play. Make Boxing Great Again is my forte. Shakur will fall in line.”

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