Shakur Stevenson vs Teofimo Lopez Targeted for New Year Riyadh Season Card

As the boxing world prepares for the superfight between Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford, rumours of future matchups continue to swirl. Dan Rafael has reported via sources on his Fight Freaks Unite Substack that Lineal/WBO super lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez and WBC lightweight titlist Shakur Stevenson have been in talks with Turki Alalshikh about a potential Riyadh Season clash in January 2026.

Teofimo Lopez vs Shakur Stevenson Talks for 2026 Riyah Season Showdown

Stevenson vs Lopez: Dan Rafael Reports the Latest

Should this fight be made, Stevenson (24-0, 11 KOs) would move up in weight to challenge for Lopez’s 140-pound crown. Stevenson has been working closely with Alalshikh, including appearing on the stacked July 12 card at Louis Armstrong Stadium, where he delivered a career-best performance to beat William Zepeda.

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Lopez (22-1, 13 KOs) has had a topsy-turvy relationship with Alalshikh, with Turki seemingly suggesting he would not work with Lopez in the future: “Let me tell you something,” Alalshikh said. “I don’t want to go into exact numbers or contract details. But here’s what I’ll say—if you don’t respect my country or my religion, you will not do business with me.”

Lopez was last seen in action on the May 2 Times Square card, where he defeated Arnold Barboza Jr by unanimous decision.

Social Media Back and Forth

Recently, both fighters have gone back and forth on social media. “I’ve already accepted the fight! I’ll see you the beginning of the year, Shakur Stevenson,” Lopez posted after Stevenson said he had not accepted the bout.

Read More: Shakur Stevenson Shuts Down Conor Benn in Verbal Clash

Stevenson has confirmed he has agreed to the fight, and in a message to Lopez said: “U need to stop playing wit the fans and acting like u agreed to the fight when u haven’t agreed on shit but on social media.. Reach out to them people and sign the paperwork!”