Lopez Jr. vs. Stevenson Betting Odds and Free Pick

Last Updated on January 28, 2026 4:47 pm by Erwin Noguera

Power meets precision as Teofimo Lopez Jr faces Shakur Stevenson in a high-level chess match where early pressure clashes with elite control and defense.

Teófimo López Jr. arrives at the iconic New York venue to put two of the most coveted super lightweight belts on the line: the WBO and The Ring linear titles. Facing him is Shakur Stevenson, an undefeated southpaw, cerebral and with the coolness of someone who has never known defeat. It is a clash of two philosophies: explosiveness and aggression versus precision and control.

The bout is scheduled for 12 rounds in the super lightweight division, a weight class in which both fighters have demonstrated physical maturity and a defined style. López will defend his WBO title for the fourth time and his The Ring title for the third time, both won against Josh Taylor in 2023, a night that changed his professional narrative. In the other corner, Stevenson leaves the lightweight division behind after reigning in the WBC and seeks to extend his undefeated streak in a category where the power of his opponents increases, and the margin for error shrinks. It’s not just a title fight: it’s a generational clash with implications for the pound-for-pound rankings.

At Gambyl Exchange, you can explore all the boxing predictions, the final bets for this bout, and the odds for each fight.

Teofimo Lopez Jr. vs. Shakur Stevenson Betting Odds and Info

Why Bet on Teofimo Lopez Jr.?

Teófimo López arrives with a record of 22 wins and 1 loss, with 13 knockouts, and a solid level of activity against real opposition. After an inconsistent 2021, the New Yorker got back on track with consecutive victories in 2022-2025. Since defeating Josh Taylor in June 2023 by unanimous decision to capture the super lightweight titles, López has strung together defenses against opponents with very different styles. That victory over the Scotsman put him back on the world map and restored him as a stable champion.

After the win over Taylor, Lopez defeated Sandor Martin by split decision in late 2022, showing that he still had room for improvement. In 2024, he added to his resume with a clear victory over Jamaine Ortiz in Las Vegas, defending the WBO and The Ring titles with wide margins. That same year, he defeated Steve Claggett by the same margin in Miami, and in May 2025, he defeated Arnold Barboza Jr. by unanimous decision in Times Square, confirming his maturity, discipline, and control of the pace. The relevant statistical detail: all of his last five fights ended by decision, averaging almost 12 rounds per night, a sign of endurance and patience.

His current version combines explosive power, aggressive counterpunching, and a timing that improves with experience. López is orthodox, has a height and reach advantage over Stevenson (1 inch in both measurements), and a knockout percentage of 59%, higher than his opponent’s.

Why Bet on Shakur Stevenson?

Shakur Stevenson arrives undefeated (24-0, 11 KOs) and with an aura of invulnerability based not on strength, but on intelligence. His southpaw boxing is one of the cleanest on the circuit today: surgical precision, distance management, defensive reflexes, and a composure that disarms opponents before the fight really heats up. Although he is not a natural knockout artist, his control is so overwhelming that he ends up throwing his opponent off balance, forcing him to take risks, and then he counters cleanly.

In recent years, he has risen through the ranks: in April 2023, he stopped Shuichiro Yoshino by TKO, then in November of the same year, he defeated Edwin De Los Santos by wide decision in Las Vegas. In 2024, he defended his title against Artem Harutyunyan in Newark, and after that, he traveled to Riyadh to stop Josh Padley in the ninth round. His last appearance was in July 2025 when he defeated William Zepeda by unanimous decision in Queens, retaining the WBC lightweight title. In other words, he comes into this division, jumps in full swing, with high-caliber opponents and no signs of wear and tear.

His tactical advantage over López goes beyond being undefeated: Stevenson boxes from the southpaw stance, a position that historically complicates things for explosive fighters like Teófimo. Furthermore, although he has fewer knockouts (46% KO), he compensates with controlled volume, efficiency, and exceptional defensive skills. He has fought more rounds than López in less time (178 total), and his frequency of activity is higher.

Final Betting Analysis: Teofimo Lopez Jr. vs. Shakur Stevenson

If we cut through the media noise, the fight comes down to power and explosiveness versus precision and control.

López has the tools to break defenses, but he must buy time, create space, and force Stevenson to stand his ground, something very few opponents have managed to do. The southpaw, meanwhile, has consistently shown he can neutralize bigger and physically stronger fighters without overexposing himself.

Stevenson’s speed and defensive awareness tend to tilt the fight in his favor. López’s key will be to win the early rounds, slow the lateral movement, and force exchanges that disrupt the rhythm. If Shakur controls distance with his jab and positional discipline, the fight becomes long and technical. Given that style, the logical outcome points to a decision. The odds reflect this expectation: it’s not that López can’t win, it’s that he needs a near-perfect plan.

In a matchup where the chess player is expected to prevail, the value lies with the fighter who can flip the board.

Teofimo Lopez Jr. vs. Shakur Stevenson Betting Pick: Shakur Stevenson