Shakur did just that Saturday evening at Madison Square Garden, miles away from where first laced up the gloves in Newark, New Jersey. And he did so in dominant fashion. I’ve been critical of how Stevenson performed against Edwin De Los Santos and Artem Harutyunyan.

Those consecutive title fights in 2023 and ‘24 were victories for Stevenson but failed to deliver entertainment value. Against Teofimo, Stevenson staked the middle of the ring and stood his ground.

This wasn’t a brawl or anything close to it. Not necessary, of course, to bring excitement to the fans. Stevenson boxed and moved but engaged. He never stopped punching. He didn’t hold. He wasn’t running.

Stevenson simply put on a master class against a damn good fighter in Lopez, who boasted Ring Magazine title victories over Vasiliy Lomachenko and Josh Taylor.

Those performances proved Lopez could rise to the occasion against elite fighters. He was installed as a nearly 3-1 underdog, and the way the fight played out might as well have been 20-1 odds.

Stevenson’s excellent southpaw jab dictated the pace and controlled range. He looked his best at 140 pounds, the fourth division he’s captured a title in. At junior welterweight, Stevenson appeared stronger and more stout in his attack. He never had an issue with Lopez on the inside, the rare occasions at least, when his foe made it that close.

Stevenson deployed a sharp check hook off the jab that made Lopez pay for his mistakes, and they were plentiful. It was truly a sensational performance in front of a sold-out crowd of 21,000-plus.

Star-making stuff.

Now, Stevenson is The Ring’s champion at 140, one of the most talent-rich divisions in boxing. The options there for compelling fights are bountiful. Dalton Smith. Richardson Hitchins. Gary Antuanne Russell.

The top two commercial options, though, are at 147. Stevenson called for a fight with British star Conor Benn, who jumped into the ring and accepted the challenge. Shakur said he would want Benn to agree to a rehydration clause — just like Benn had vs. Chris Eubank Jr. — but hopefully that was just trash talk.

Benn talks a great game, and that’s a genuinely big fight in the UK.

The other option at welterweight is Ryan Garcia, should he defeat Mario Barrios on Feb. 21 in Las Vegas. Garcia’s hand speed and size make it an intriguing fight, even if Shakur would be heavily favored. One of the biggest fights that can be made in the U.S.

It’s going to be tough to find someone to beat Stevenson with the way he looked vs. Lopez. When he boxed and disengaged, it was easy to see his talent but also openings for him to be upset.

Now? If Stevenson continues to fight like he did vs. Teofimo, where he was offensive-minded while defensively responsible, he will be nearly impossible to dethrone while in his prime (He’s 28).

In the meantime, Shakur needs to capitalize by fighting, hopefully, two more times this year. And by creating the biggest fights possible. Between the three other titleholders and 140 and the two marquee options at 147, he has plenty of paths to choose.

The more immediate question, for now: Just where does he rank among the pound-for-pound best? There’s a case to be made he belongs in the top 5, if not higher, based on the eye test and this performance against Lopez.

He’s building his case now toward what he has envisioned all along: Recognition as the best boxer in the world.

Mike Coppinger is The Ring’s senior insider. He co-hosts “Inside the Ring” on DAZN every Monday with Max Kellerman. Follow him on X/Instagram: @MikeCoppinger.