Shakur Stevenson dictated the fight tonight and was in complete control from start to finish, outclassing Teofimo Lopez to earn a wide unanimous decision victory and capture the WBO super lightweight title, his fourth championship in as many divisions.
The outcome was never truly in doubt. After a competitive opening couple of rounds, 28 year old Newark native Stevenson 25-0 (11 Ko’s) seized command by the third and never let go. Aside from a brief lull late in the fight, Lopez was unable to match Stevenson’s pace, timing, or precision.
Lopez (22-2, 13 KOs) had suffered defeats before, but never in such one-sided fashion, posing very little threat throughout and was unable to generate offense, effective enough to disrupt Stevenson’s rhythm. Stevenson, meanwhile, delivered a masterclass in control and efficiency.
With the performance, Stevenson further strengthened his case as one of boxing’s elite, making it difficult to argue against his place among the sport’s top pound-for-pound fighters, Lopez tonight, figuratively just made up the numbers.
Ringside Judges scores read.
Max DeLuca: 119-109 Stevenson..
Eric Marlinski: 119-109 Stevenson..
Steve Weisfeld: 119-109 Stevenson