Shakur Stevenson put on a masterclass to dethrone Teofimo Lopez of his WBO and Ring Magazine super lightweight world title on points at Madison Square Garden on Saturday.
Stevenson, who moved up in weight, outclassed Lopez, dropping just one round on all three judges’ scorecards in New York.
The 28-year-old’s superior IQ and skillset was on display from the opening round and Lopez struggled to pin his rival down.
Stevenson (25-0, 11 KOs) couldn’t miss with his jab as he frustrated ’The Takeover’, who was cut and looking like he required a knockout by the hallway mark.
Lopez (22-2, 13 KOs) had his best round of the fight in the seventh, as he pounded Stevenson’s body.
However, his revival was short-lived, with Stevenson continuing to pick him off with sharp combinations and masterful defence.
Lopez was bloodied and broken by the 10th and in the 11th his head snapped back on two occasions, as the Newark man maintained a one-sided beatdown.
The 28-year-old searched desperately for a final round knockout, but it never looked likely and the bout headed to the scorecards, where the result was a mere formality.
All three judges scored the bout 119-110, with Stevenson becoming a four-weight world champion and handing his rival a second professional defeat.
Stevenson also holds the WBC belt at lightweight and it remains unclear whether he will remain at 140lbs or return to the lower weight class.
Stevenson called out Conor Benn in his post-fight interview and the pair had a heated exchange of words in the ring.
Davis stops Ortiz
Keyshawn Davis sent a statement to the super lightweight division by stopping Jamaine Ortiz in the final round.
Davis (14-0, 10 KOs) floored Ortiz (20-3-1, 10 KOs) in both the 11th and 12th rounds, before the referee waved off the contest.
‘The Businessman’ made his debut in 140 pound division and after dominating throughout, the 26-year-old finished the contest in style.
View this post on Instagram
The Norfolk man landed a ripping body shot in the 11th round, which had Ortiz reeling in pain on the canvas.
The 29-year-old bravely beat the count, but Davis sensed a finish.
Ortiz was checked by the ringside doctor at both the start of the 11th and 12th rounds with his eye fully closed, but was allowed to continue on both occasions.
Another brutal body shot in the final round left ‘The Technician’ crumpled on the canvas and referee Thomas Taylor intervened.
Carrington crowned new world champion
Bruce Carrington became the new WBC featherweight world champion with a stunning ninth round knockout of Carlos Castro.
Carrington (17-0, 10 KOs) detonated a brutal right hand, followed by a three-punch combination, which laid Castro (30-4, 14 KOs) on his back and the 31-year-old was unable to beat the count.
Carrington started the contest well, but his world title dreams appeared in jeopardy after he was hurt from a hard right hand.
View this post on Instagram
’Shu Shu’ was buzzed in the fifth, but responded well in the rounds that followed and regained control.
The Brownsville man closed the show in spectacular fashion, laying Castro out with four brutal blows to win the vacant title.
Miller wins despite hair disaster
Jarrell Miller lost his toupee during a dramatic split decision win over Kingsley Ibeh.
Miller (27-1-2, 22 KOs), fighting for the first time since a draw with Andy Ruiz Jr in August 2024, was wearing a wig during the bout.
However, Ibeh (16-3-1, 14 KOs) quickly removed it, knocking it back during the second round.
View this post on Instagram
‘Big Baby’ threw the toupee into the crowd before the start of the third round and produced a late rally to overcome the 32-year-old in what was really a lacklustre affair.
A scorecard of 96-94 in favour of Ibeh was overruled by two scores of 97-93 for to hand Miller the victory.
Remaining Undercard
Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams saw his world middleweight title fight with Carlos Adames cancelled on Friday due to illness.
Williams (20-1, 13 KOs) took care of late-replacement Wendy Toussaint (17-4, 7 KOs) by unanimous decision.
Saudi Arabian super lightweight, Ziyad Almaayouf (7-1-1, 1 KO) lost for the first time as a professional on points against Kevin Castillo (6-2-1).
