Masterclass at the Garden: Shakur Stevenson Dismantles Teofimo Lopez

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The “art of boxing” found its ultimate expression last night at Madison Square Garden. In a performance that bordered on clinical, Shakur Stevenson (25-0, 11 KOs) delivered a definitive masterclass, outclassing Teofimo Lopez over 12 rounds to capture the WBO and The Ring junior welterweight championships.

The victory makes the 28-year-old Newark native a four-division world champion, further cementing his status as one of the pound-for-pound greats of this era.

The Masterclass: Hit and Don’t Get Hit

From the opening bell, Stevenson established a rhythm that Lopez simply couldn’t disrupt. While Lopez attempted to use his characteristic explosive movement and feints, Stevenson neutralized him with what many consider the best lead hand in the sport.

The Scoring: The dominance was reflected in the official scorecards, with all three judges turning in identical scores of 119–109. Lopez was effectively limited to winning just a single round on most cards.
The Punch Stats: According to CompuBox, Stevenson landed 165 punches to Lopez’s 72. Stevenson’s connect percentage was a staggering 44%, compared to just 15% for the now-former champion.
The Damage: By the middle rounds, Lopez was visually frustrated and physically marked. A sharp jab from Stevenson opened a cut over Lopez’s left eye in the 6th, and by the 10th, the Brooklyn native was bloodied and “chasing ghosts.”

A Contrast in Corners

The fight wasn’t just won in the ring, but in the tactical preparation.

Stevenson’s Calm: Guided by his grandfather and trainer Wali Moses, Stevenson remained disciplined, never biting on Lopez’s baits and staying “on the front foot” more than in previous outings. He was flanked by boxing legend Terence Crawford, who served as an advisor throughout the camp.
Lopez’s Chaos: In contrast, the Lopez corner appeared frantic. Teofimo Lopez Sr. struggled to offer technical adjustments, instead relying on emotional pleas that failed to translate into a solution for Stevenson’s southpaw puzzle.

Post-Fight Heat: Benn Enters the Fray

“I picked him apart, and I did what I was supposed to do,” Stevenson said in the ring. “This is the art of boxing: hit and don’t get hit.”

The celebration was briefly interrupted when British welterweight Conor Benn entered the ring, sparking a heated shouting match. Benn, who has been campaigning for a major US debut, appeared to challenge the newly crowned 140-pound king, potentially signaling Stevenson’s next move toward a fifth weight class.

Historic Night at MSG

The event didn’t just break spirits; it broke records. Promoter Turki Alalshikh confirmed that the attendance of 21,324 set a new record for a boxing event at the current Madison Square Garden (opened in 1968), surpassing the mark previously held by Gennady Golovkin.

Fighter	Result	Title(s) Won	New Record
Shakur Stevenson	W (UD-12)	WBO, Lineal, & Ring Junior Welterweight	25-0
Teofimo Lopez	L (UD-12)	—	22-2