Lopez Jr. vs Stevenson: Who’s Favored? Odds & Picks

A high stakes super lightweight championship clash is set for Saturday, January 31, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York, where undefeated WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson (24-0, 11 KOs) challenges WBO and The Ring super lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez Jr. (22-1, 13 KOs).

Lopez enters as an explosive, athletic, and battle tested champion with wins over Josh Taylor, Vasiliy Lomachenko, and Arnold Barboza Jr., while Stevenson arrives with elite defensive skill, precision, and complete control of range and rhythm, carrying an undefeated record and one of the most polished styles in boxing.

This boxing betting matchup pits Lopez’s power, athleticism, and counterpunching against Stevenson’s timing, footwork, and defensive mastery. Fans should expect a tactical, high skill encounter with Lopez’s explosiveness and angles versus Stevenson’s discipline, accuracy, and ring IQ.

Teofimo Lopez Jr. vs. Shakur Stevenson Fight Preview

Teofimo Lopez Jr., age 28, enters with a 22-1 record and 13 knockouts. At 5’8” with an orthodox stance, the Brooklyn born champion blends athletic explosiveness, sharp counters, and a history of rising to elite competition. His recent run includes a unanimous decision win over Arnold Barboza Jr. to retain his WBO and The Ring titles, a unanimous decision over Steve Claggett, and victories over Jamaine Ortiz, Josh Taylor, Sandor Martín, and Pedro Campa.

Lopez’s strength in this matchup lies in his power, speed, and ability to disrupt rhythm with sudden offense. If he can close distance, create exchanges, and force Stevenson into uncomfortable pockets, he becomes a far more dangerous opponent than the odds suggest.

Lopez’s challenge is solving Stevenson’s control of distance and timing. He must avoid long stretches of inactivity, cut the ring effectively, and prevent Stevenson from dictating pace with jabs, angles, and resets. If Lopez can turn the fight into a physical, high-tension contest with bursts of offense, he brings the kind of unpredictability that tests Stevenson in ways he has not yet experienced at super lightweight.

Shakur Stevenson, age 28, enters with a perfect 24–0 record and 11 knockouts. At 5’8” with a southpaw stance, the Newark native fights with elite defensive skill, sharp timing, and a precision-based style built on control and efficiency. His recent unanimous decision win over William Zepeda showcased his ability to neutralize pressure, while victories over Josh Padley, Artem Harutyunyan, Edwin De Los Santos, Shuichiro Yoshino, and Robson Conceição highlight his consistency and dominance across weight classes.

Stevenson’s biggest strength is his ability to dictate every phase of a fight, forcing opponents to miss, hesitate, and fall behind on activity.

Stevenson’s challenge is handling Lopez’s explosiveness and ability to create sudden momentum shifts. To control the fight, he must maintain range, manage tempo, and avoid exchanges where Lopez’s athleticism becomes most dangerous. This matchup becomes a test of Stevenson’s ability to blend defensive mastery with enough offense to keep Lopez from stealing rounds with bursts of aggression.

Teofimo Lopez Jr. vs. Shakur Stevenson Predictions

Boxing betting odds list Stevenson as a significant favorite at -345, reflecting both his undefeated record and stylistic advantages. Expect Stevenson to establish control early, using jabs, footwork, and defensive reads to keep Lopez at range. Lopez’s best path is to apply pressure in spots, explode with counters, and force Stevenson into exchanges where his power and athleticism can narrow the gap.

If Stevenson maintains control of distance and tempo, his accuracy and defensive discipline give him a clear edge. If Lopez can disrupt that rhythm and create moments of chaos, he becomes far more competitive than the odds imply. The prediction leans toward Stevenson by decision, with Lopez having moments of success but struggling to consistently break Stevenson’s structure and timing.

Teofimo Lopez Jr. vs. Shakur Stevenson Betting Tips

• Moneyline: Stevenson enters as the -345 favorite, with Lopez offering underdog value at +277 for bettors seeking a live, explosive champion at a price.

• Method of Victory: Stevenson by decision is the most reliable angle given his style, defense, and Lopez’s durability.

• Props: The fight going the distance is a popular play, with both fighters showing strong conditioning and defensive awareness.

• Rounds & Totals: With Stevenson’s measured approach and Lopez’s toughness, the over in rounds betting is likely to attract interest, though Lopez’s explosiveness keeps the under in play for sharper bettors.

Teofimo Lopez Jr. vs. Shakur Stevenson Key Stats & Tale of the Tape

• Teofimo Lopez Jr.: 22-1 (13 KOs), age 28, height 5’8”, orthodox. Explosive champion with power, athleticism, and elite level wins.

• Shakur Stevenson: 24-0 (11 KOs), age 28, height 5’8”, southpaw. Undefeated technician with elite defense, precision, and complete ring control.

• Records & Form: Lopez defending his WBO and The Ring super lightweight titles; Stevenson moving up after dominating at lightweight.

• Physical Edge: Height identical; Stevenson holds advantages in timing, defense, and consistency.

• Venue & Broadcast: Madison Square Garden, New York, New York — DAZN worldwide.

The tale of the tape highlights a compelling contrast: a powerful, explosive champion with elite wins versus an undefeated defensive master rising into a new division. Lopez brings danger, athleticism, and unpredictability, but the edges tilt toward Stevenson’s control, accuracy, and ability to dictate the terms of the fight.