2026 kicks off with Teofimo Lopez vs. Shakur Stevenson set for January 31

The brand new 12 months in boxing will begin with fireworks as Teofimo Lopez returns to defend his WBO and Ring Magazine junior welterweight titles against Shakur Stevenson on January 31, 2026. The blockbuster bout will headline “The Ring VI” at Madison Square Garden in Latest York City, streaming exclusively on DAZN.

For Lopez, this matchup is a likelihood to reaffirm his dominance at 140 kilos after a rollercoaster stretch in his profession. The self-proclaimed “Takeover” capped off 2025 with a convincing win over a top contender, revitalizing the swagger that after made him certainly one of boxing’s most electrifying young stars. Fighting once more in his hometown, Lopez is desirous to prove that he stays the person to beat within the division.

Standing across from him will probably be the slick and strategic Shakur Stevenson, who moves as much as junior welterweight after a decorated run at lightweight. Known for his elite defense, counterpunching, and composure under fire, Stevenson presents a stylistic puzzle few have solved. The matchup poses an interesting query: can Lopez’s explosiveness and pressure offset Stevenson’s precision and patience?

The Ring VI card continues a growing tradition of marquee fights to kick off the boxing calendar, and this edition guarantees high drama. Two pound-for-pound talents, each under 30, each proud Americans with strong fan bases, will collide in what many are already calling a possible Fight of the Yr candidate.

With promoter Eddie Hearn hinting that the winner could unify with the WBC champion later in 2026, the stakes couldn’t be higher. January 31 in Latest York is shaping as much as be a defining night for each men—and an early statement that boxing plans to start out 2026 at full throttle.