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Nick Parkinson
Multiple Authors
The highly anticipated showdown between Teofimo Lopez Jr. and Shakur Stevenson isn’t the only must-watch fight on Saturday. A variety of thrilling matchups are set to unfold across five boxing cards worldwide.
Lopez’s junior welterweight title defense against Stevenson stands out as the highlight of the weekend, featuring two of the top pound-for-pound boxers settling their long-standing rivalry. also, fans can look forward to two junior middleweight title bouts and the highly awaited return of Dina Thorslund, one of the leading figures in women’s boxing, who had a challenging year in 2025 due to a miscarriage.
ESPN highlights eight of the most exciting bouts taking place from Newcastle, England, to New York.
All odds are provided by DraftKings Sportsbook.
1. Teofimo Lopez Jr. (+250) vs. Shakur Stevenson (-330) | New York
Lopez has delivered some of his finest performances against elite competitors, including Vasiliy Lomachenko in 2020 and Josh Taylor in 2023. He will need to summon that motivation again when facing Stevenson. yet, Lopez has had off nights, such as his split decision defeat to George Kambosos Jr. in 2021 and narrow decision wins over Jamaine Ortiz and Steve Claggett in 2024.
The outcome of Saturday’s fight will hinge on which Lopez steps into the ring to defend his WBO junior welterweight title. He boasts a size advantage (Stevenson is moving up from lightweight) and has the ability to adjust to opponents’ styles during bouts to secure victories.
Stevenson (24-0, 11 KOs) is a skilled southpaw with a focus on defense. If he maintains a disciplined approach and avoids getting pulled into brawls, he could win by decision. yet, if the match turns into a slugfest at Madison Square Garden, Lopez is likely to come out ahead.
Lopez (22-1, 13 KOs) has nicknamed Stevenson “The Roadrunner,” but if Stevenson effectively uses his jab early, his footwork and distance control might frustrate Lopez. Lopez has previously struggled against counterpunchers, having been knocked down in Round 2 by Sandor Martin before ultimately winning by decision in 2021.
Stevenson delivered an impressive performance in July during his lightweight title defense against William Zepeda, but to claim victory over Lopez and secure his fourth division world title, he will need to perform at his absolute best.
Few fights this year will match the significance of this one.
2. Keyshawn Davis (-600) vs. Jamaine Ortiz (+400) | New York
Davis has displayed a relentless attitude in his recent bouts, such as his four-round demolition of Denys Berinchyk to win the WBO lightweight title last year. But can he replicate that success at 140 pounds?
Moving up to junior welterweight, Davis (13-0, 9 KOs) takes on Ortiz after a missed weight in June forced the cancellation of his planned lightweight title defense against Edwin De Los Santos. Following that setback, Davis aims to make a statement that could lead to lucrative matchups in his new weight class.
Ortiz (20-2-1, 10 KOs) has faced top-tier opponents, including losses to Lomachenko in 2022 and Lopez in 2024, but he’s capable of competing with Davis’ speed. Having won both of his fights in 2025, Ortiz’s versatility might surprise observers. Much like the Lopez-Stevenson main event, this contest is tough to call.
3. Bakhram Murtazaliev (-350) vs. Josh Kelly (+260) | Newcastle, England
Kelly will rely on the enthusiastic support of his local crowd in Newcastle, England, as he faces Murtazaliev for the IBF junior middleweight title. He must keep his emotions in check against the powerful Russian. Kelly has the skill to box intelligently—that’s vital to avoid suffering the same fate as Tim Tszyu and Jack Culcay, both of whom were knocked out by Murtazaliev in 2024.
Neither fighter has seen much ring action recently. Murtazaliev (23-0, 17 KOs) did not compete last year, while Kelly spent just two minutes in the ring, finishing Flavius Biea with a Round 1 KO in June.
Last time Kelly (17-1-1, 9 KOs) faced an opponent as dangerous as Murtazaliev, he was stopped in the sixth round by David Avanesyan at welterweight in 2021. While he has improved, he needs to be in peak condition to box his way to a decision. Many expect a Murtazaliev KO in this match, but it wouldn’t be shocking if Kelly pulls off an unexpected victory.
4. Carlos Adames (-425) vs. Austin Williams (+300) | New York
After a split draw with knockout artist Hamzah Sheeraz in February, Adames must deliver a more decisive outing in his second defense of the WBC middleweight title. Adames (24-1-1, 18 KOs) took time to find his rhythm against Sheeraz but was more aggressive and active in the later rounds. Unfortunately, his strong finish wasn’t enough, with one judge seeing it for Sheeraz at 115-114, another at 118-110 for Adames, and a third at 114-114.
Sheeraz had previously stopped Williams (19-1, 13 KOs) in Round 11 in June 2024, yet Williams has bounced back with three wins since then. If the southpaw can effectively counter Adames, this fight could be much closer than expected.
5. Xander Zayas (-400) vs. Abass Baraou (+295) | San Juan, Puerto Rico
Zayas knows former sparring partner Baraou well, but this bout is still a challenge compared to his last fight. As the WBO junior middleweight champion, Zayas faces Baraou, the WBA champion, in a unification match as the main event.
Back in July, Zayas dominated Jorge Garcia, winning by unanimous decision and claiming his first world title at the young age of 22. Zayas (22-0, 13 KOs) displayed impressive footwork and counterpunching, with scores of 116-112, 118-110, and 119-109 in his favor.
His effective jab was critical in asserting dominance, highlighting his maturity as he chose to box smartly for a comfortable win. This strategy may serve him well against Baraou (17-1, 9 KOs), who tends to advance aggressively.
6. Bruce Carrington (-900) vs. Carlos Castro (+550) | New York
Brooklyn’s “Shu Shu” Carrington aims to validate the buzz surrounding his ascent by seeking his first world title in front of his hometown crowd at Madison Square Garden against the seasoned Castro.
Carrington (16-0, 9 KOs) is heavily favored to win the vacant WBC featherweight title, making this a must-watch for those eager to see a potential future pound-for-pound contender.
Castro (30-3, 14 KOs) lost a split decision to Stephen Fulton in September 2024 and has not stepped into the ring since. This long absence may put him at a disadvantage, particularly as he has faltered against quality opponents like Fulton, Luis Nery, and Brandon Figueroa in the past.
7. Dina Thorslund vs. Almudena Alvarez | Kolding, Denmark
Thorslund (23-0, 9 KOs) did not compete in 2025 due to withdrawing from a title unification match following her pregnancy, leading her to relinquish both her WBC and WBO bantamweight titles. She now faces substitute opponent Alvarez (7-3, 2 KOs) for the WBC interim featherweight title, with expectations leaning towards a convincing victory for Thorslund in her first fight since October 2024.
