Morning After: Shakur dominates Lopez, Kelly shocks Murtazaliev
Last weekend was a busy one for boxing, with major events taking place all over the world.
Shakur def. Lopez (US)
Teofimo Lopez and Shakur Stevenson headlined the Ring VI card at Madison Square Garden in New York, competing for the WBO and Ring Super Lightweight belts.
Shakur stepped up in weight to win a unanimous decision over Lopez, the lineal champion, with scores of 119-109 from all three judges.
Lopez struggled to deal with Shakur’s defense and precision. After a dominant 12-round fight, Shakur achieved the feat of becoming a world champion in four different weight divisions.
With this win, he now sits at the forefront of the super lightweight division, creating opportunities for bouts against Dalton Smith (WBC), Gary Russell (WBA), Richardson Hitchins (IBF), and Keyshawn Davis.
The card also featured Keyshawn Davis, a rising super lightweight, who knocked out Jamaine Ortiz in the 12th round.
In addition, WBC featherweight champion Bruce Carrington successfully defended his title against Carlos Castro. The heavyweight contest between Jarrell Miller and Nigerian-UK boxer Kingsey Ibeh concluded with a split decision win for Miller.
Kelly def. Murtazaliev (England)
The IBF World Super Welterweight Title now belongs to UK’s Josh Kelly, following his majority decision victory over Bakhram Murtazaliev.
Josh Padley also defeated Jaouad Belmehdi by knockout in the second round to win the EBU European Super Featherweight Title. Padley, who previously worked as an electrician, has now had three consecutive victories following his last-minute world title bout against Shakur Stevenson in 2025.
Banks def. Scull (Denmark)
In Denmark, 24-year-old hometown fighter Jacob Banks won by knocking out former IBF champion William Scull in the twelfth round to claim the WBO Global Super Middleweight Title.
The Danish fighters on the card showed a strong performance, securing a 4-1 record at the Sydbank Arena.
Zayas def. Baraou (Puerto Rico)
At just 23 years old, Xander Zayas became the youngest active, unified champion after defeating Abass Baraou in a split decision in his home country of Puerto Rico.
Zayas now holds the WBO World & WBA World Super Welterweight Titles.
Valenzuela def. Torres (US)
In the US, Zuffa Boxing held its second event, featuring a main event between Jose Valenzuela and Diego Torres. Valenzuela was declared the winner by a unanimous decision.
Serhii Bohachuk was victorious against Radzhab Butaev in the co-main bout, winning by split decision.