{"id":437224,"date":"2026-01-25T21:00:09","date_gmt":"2026-01-25T21:00:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/437224\/"},"modified":"2026-01-25T21:00:09","modified_gmt":"2026-01-25T21:00:09","slug":"shakur-stevenson-lays-out-future-plans-after-fighting-teofimo-lopez","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/437224\/","title":{"rendered":"Shakur Stevenson Lays Out Future Plans After Fighting Teofimo Lopez"},"content":{"rendered":"

Shakur Stevenson is moving up to super lightweight to challenge WBO champion Teofimo Lopez<\/a> on Saturday, but he does not plan to make that a permanent move.<\/p>\n

Stevenson, the WBC lightweight champion, does not want to relinquish his title to move up to challenge Lopez. While a victory would make him a four-division champion, he plans to continue his career at lightweight regardless of what happens against Lopez.<\/p>\n

Stevenson confirmed his intention to return to lightweight after the Lopez fight while watching Raymond Muratalla’s IBF title defense against Andy Cruz.<\/p>\n

“I plan on going back to 35,” Stevenson said on the DAZN broadcast. “I’m not a 40-pounder, I’m really a 35-pounder. I’ve been saying this a million times; people can run with whatever they want with it. After this fight [with Lopez], if I don’t get a big fight at another weight class, I will be back at 135.”<\/p>\n

Shakur Stevenson has eyes on the winner of #MuratallaCruz<\/a> after Teofimo Lopez \ud83d\udc40 pic.twitter.com\/vPCQ9fIsaZ<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) January 25, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

When asked if he would like to fight either Muratalla or Cruz in his next fight, Stevenson responded with, “Hell yeah.” Muratalla emerged victorious in his first title defense with a majority decision.<\/p>\n

Stevenson and Lopez compete for the latter’s WBO and The Ring super lightweight titles at Madison Square Garden on Jan. 31. The event, which is being co-promoted by Matchroom Boxing and Top Rank Boxing, is billed as ‘Ring VI.’<\/p>\n

Stevenson began his professional career as a featherweight before eventually working his way up to lightweight. He has won a world title in each of his three weight classes<\/a> before moving up.<\/p>\n

\"Shakur<\/p>\n

Shakur Stevenson | IMAGO \/ Torsten Helmke<\/p>\n

Shakur Stevenson watches cousin Zaquin Moses improve to 6-0<\/p>\n

Stevenson made the trip to the Fontainebleau Las Vegas to watch Muratalla and Cruz, but primarily to watch his cousin, Zaquin Moses. Stevenson had a front-row seat to watch the 20-year-old improve to 6-0 with a win over Leandro Medina.<\/p>\n

Moses swept the cards for a clean, unanimous decision victory. He was caught on camera telling his cornerman, “this s*** easy” in between rounds.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udde3\ufe0f “This sh*t easy” \ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n

Zaquin Moses enjoying himself in there tonight \ud83d\udc4f #MuratallaCruz<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/Hmq5GvXSHk<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) January 25, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

In addition to his connection to Stevenson, Moses’ professional debut came with significant hype following a promising amateur career. He collected multiple noteworthy victories on the amateur circuit, including a decision nod over Floyd Mayweather prospect Curmel Moton.<\/p>\n

As one of Stevenson’s primary training partners, Moses emulates a lot of the 28-year-old’s game. Although not as clean as Stevenson, Moses fights with a similar defensive-first approach, leading to six dominant wins to begin his professional career.<\/p>\n

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