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Shakur Stevenson defeated Teofimo Lopez to capture the 140-pound title on a night that quietly rewrote Madison Square Garden records and proved that a clean, no-nonsense fight can still pack the building.
By the middle rounds, the outcome in the ring was already clear. Results outside may last longer. A confirmed attendance of 21,324 fans was the highest number for a boxing match at the Modern Garden since it reopened in 1968. That number puts Stevenson vs. Lopez above Anthony Joshua vs. Andy Ruiz Jr. and every other recent headline that relies on brand recognition or imported fan bases.
Madison Square Garden no longer promotes itself. This building needs a reason. The Garden’s record exposes a fact that the business has long shied away from: real fights still draw crowds, while fake crossover shout-outs only fill up the timeline. A fighting game for kids on TikTok and YouTube, chasing clicks, pushing cards, screaming, and inventing beef meltdowns after the bell rings. Video of influencers yelling, pushing and “fighting” at the weigh-in, with security pretending to lose control, went viral. Proper fighting requires no show.
Promoters sell influence and call it progress. Numbers surge over the weekend and then disappear. The crowd arrived curious, but not committed. By the third round, the focus is gone. No tension. There is no danger. There is no sense that anything real is in danger.
This card doesn’t rely on crossover titles, circus acts, or undercards. It tells a believable fight between two American boxers who have the belts but also have something to lose.
Turki Alalshikh confirmed the record of “X”. For years, American boxing has struggled without an overseas star or legend. This group shows that there is still interest in a suitable pairing in the top flight.
21,324.
This version of Madison Square Garden (opened in 1968) set a new attendance record for boxing. 🥊🤷🏻♂️❤️🔥💪 pic.twitter.com/ogTUtKwv6M— TURKI ALALSHIKH (@Turki_alalshikh) February 1, 2026
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Last updated on February 2, 2026
