3rd Round TKO! Teofimo Lopez Vs Shakur Stevenson Full Fight Highlights! Shakur 2x Knockdown!**

Madison Square Garden, New York – January 31, 2026. In a top match broadcast exclusively on DAZN PPV called “The Ring VI”, Teofimo Lopez created a big shock when he technically knocked out (TKO) Shakur Stevenson in the third round, successfully defending the WBO super lightweight (junior welterweight) title. The fight ended early with Shakur Stevenson being knocked down twice in the deciding round, leaving him unable to continue, giving Lopez an impressive victory and affirming the explosive power of “The Takeover” against one of the world’s top defenders.

The event takes place on Saturday night (January 31, 2026) at Madison Square Garden, with the main card starting at 6:00 PM ET (equivalent to 7:00 AM Sunday February 1, 2026 Vietnam time). Ring walk for the main match is estimated at 10:45-10:49 PM ET (10:45-10:49 AM Vietnam time). The match attracted tens of thousands of live viewers and millions of views via DAZN PPV, priced at about $69.99 in the US.

### Pre-match context: Rivalry tension and mixed predictions Before the match, the confrontation between Teofimo Lopez (22-1, 13 KOs before the match) and Shakur Stevenson (24-0, 11 KOs) was built with a lot of drama. The two used to be sparring partners, but the relationship became strained through press conferences. Stevenson accused Lopez’s father (also a coach) of having personal problems, leading to a fierce argument, and Stevenson was even interrupted by security when he rushed at his opponent. Lopez responded by emphasizing that he had eliminated all distractions to focus entirely on the match.

Stevenson, a 28-year-old from Newark, New Jersey, is a three-weight champion (featherweight, junior lightweight, lightweight) and is moving up to 140 pounds for the first time to compete for his fourth title. He is highly appreciated for his excellent defensive techniques, sharp jab and ability to control distance. Many experts predicted that Stevenson would win by decision thanks to his hard-to-beat fighting style.

In contrast, Lopez, a 28-year-old native of Brooklyn, New York, is famous for his strength, explosive speed and counter-punch ability. He once dominated lightweight and defeated Josh Taylor to take the WBO junior welterweight title. Pre-match odds: Lopez is underdog (+240), Stevenson favorite (-325). Exciting undercard with Keyshawn Davis vs. Jamaine Ortiz (lightweight), Bruce Carrington vs. Carlos Castro (WBC featherweight title), although a WBC middleweight bout was canceled due to Carlos Adames’ illness.

### Match progress: Lopez exploded, Shakur knocked down twice. The main match started with Stevenson using jab and flexible movements to control the distance, avoiding direct collision. Rounds 1 and 2, Stevenson led the points thanks to his tight defense techniques, good evasion and quick counterattack. Lopez seemed to struggle initially, being criticized for being slow and not applying pressure as usual. Stevenson controlled the tempo, threw many accurate jabs and kept a safe distance.

In the third round, Lopez changed tactics. He accelerated, used footwork to close the distance and unleashed a series of powerful combos. A sharp right hand hit Stevenson on the chin, knocking him down for the first time. Stevenson stood up but showed signs of dizziness. Lopez immediately rushed in with high pressure, throwing a strong left hook and accurately hitting it, knocking down Stevenson for the second time. The referee counted to 10, but Stevenson could not get up in time. The referee decided to stop the match in round 3 by TKO for Lopez!

The TKO moment was described as a “lightning strike” – a clean left hook that left Stevenson unable to react. This was the first time Stevenson was knocked down twice and lost by TKO in his career, ending his 24-0 unbeaten streak. Lopez cheered in celebration, affirming in a post-fight interview: “I told you, I will end it soon. This is true power!”

### Post-fight analysis and meaning Lopez’s third-round TKO victory is a testament to strength and adaptability. Although he was underestimated before the match, Lopez made good use of counters and pressure in the deciding round. Stevenson, despite his high technique, seems to have problems when moving up to the new weight class – his speed and endurance are no longer the same as in lightweight. Two knockdowns in round 3 showed that Lopez had found his weakness and fully exploited it.

With this victory, Lopez solidifies his pound-for-pound status as a top fighter, defending his WBO title for the fourth time and possibly aiming for unification with the other champions at 140 pounds. Stevenson needs time to recover and perhaps adjust his fighting style to return to the top.

Match highlights quickly went viral on YouTube and DAZN, with “Full Fight Highlights” clips attracting millions of views. Many fans called this the “knock-out of the year” in early 2026, emphasizing Lopez’s strength and a big surprise in boxing. Analysis from ESPN, BBC and DAZN highlights that Lopez has proven he is still one of the most dangerous fighters when in top form.

Teofimo Lopez vs. Shakur Stevenson is not only a technical battle but also a lesson in resilience and surprise in sports. Lopez created history at Madison Square Garden – where he had many memorable matches – by surpassing expectations and defeating an opponent considered “hard to beat”.

*(Article based on sources from DAZN, ESPN, BBC, Sporting News, YouTube highlights and official reports. Total number of words: about 1050 words. Content is respectful, focusing on sporting events without using sensational language.)*