Teofimo-Shakur possible for late January in New York

Negotiations to stage a blockbuster showdown between American champions Teofimo Lopez and Shakur Stevenson are reportedly on track, according to sources close to the talks.

A person familiar with the situation told BoxingScene that discussions have progressed so well that the WBO 140-pound title fight is considered “imminent,” with a targeted date in late January in New York. The event, billed as a “Ring” bout, will be promoted by Saudi boxing investor Turki Alalshikh, who has recently staged major fight cards at Times Square and Louis Armstrong Stadium.

Lopez (22-1, 13 KOs), the Brooklyn native and reigning junior-welterweight and two-division world champion, last fought on the Times Square card—dominating interim champion Arnold Barboza Jr. en route to a unanimous decision victory.

Meanwhile, three-division champion Stevenson (24-0, 11 KOs) of Newark, New Jersey, showcased his elite skillset in July at the tennis venue, dismantling Mexico’s heavy-handed William Zepeda with scores of 118-110, 118-110, and 119-109.

Both fighters, age 28, stand at the pinnacle of their respective careers and consistently appear in pound-for-pound rankings, making this matchup one of boxing’s most compelling showdowns.

With DAZN already set to air a lightweight clash in Las Vegas on January 24 between IBF champion Raymond Muratalla and Olympic gold medalist Andy Cruz, insiders expect Lopez vs. Stevenson to take place on January 31—a prime television slot nestled between the NFL conference championship weekend and the Super Bowl.