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Andreas Hell
multiple authors
Teofimo Lopez Jr. Will put his WBO junior welterweight title on the line on Saturday shakur stevenson At Madison Square Garden in New York.
Lopez (22-1, 13 KOs), a former unified lightweight champion, makes the fourth defense of the belt he won Unanimous decision over Josh Taylor At MSG Theater in June 2023. Since then, Lopez, who enters the fight as a +250 underdog according to DraftKings Sportsbook, has scored decision wins over Jamaine Ortiz and Steve Claggett in 2024, followed by Win over Arnold Barboza Jr. Last May. While he has not recorded a stoppage since his seventh-round knockout of Pedro Campa in August 2022, Lopez has put in several impressive performances, particularly against Taylor and Barboza.
Lopez’s blend of power, footwork and athleticism could be the key to his success, especially if he can close the distance and land combinations against a tough target.
Stevenson (24-0, 11 KOs), the reigning WBC lightweight champion, moves up to 140 pounds for the first time as he looks to become a four-division world champion after winning titles at featherweight, junior lightweight and lightweight. Widely considered one of boxing’s elite defensive technicians, Stevenson (-330 favorite) has at times been criticized for his conservative style, but his ring control and evasiveness have made him virtually untouchable as a professional. He also showed aggressive edge A major win over William Zepeda last July.
The matchup presents a classic stylistic paradox: Can Lopez solve Stevenson’s defense and impose his offense from the inside? Or will Stevenson neutralize Lopez’s power by controlling range with his jab and footwork?
Hall of Fame commentator Al Bernstein, former welterweight champion Shawn Porter, and former junior middleweight champion Raul Marquez explained how the fight could unfold and offered their picks for the winner.
Editor’s note: Content has been edited for brevity and clarity.
Shawn Porter, former welterweight champion
match up
Lopez has intangibles in boxing that you can’t teach – athleticism, explosiveness and power. Stevenson was born with the ability to keep track of time and determine the distance of a fight and the speed at which it is fought. Although Lopez may have a lot more to offer in the ring, he will have to figure out what to do and when to do it, and most importantly, against perhaps the most unbeatable boxer in the sport. This is Stevenson’s fight to lose and Lopez’s fight to win.
How does Lopez win?
His patience will be important. He will have to start the fight with patience rather than rushing to land a big punch. The more effort he puts in, the easier it will be for Stevenson to time him and find his rhythm. If he fights with a rhythm, using a simple jab and trying to find moments to throw combinations, his composure can help dictate the pace of the fight and his opportunities will come.
How does Stevenson win?
To win, Stevenson just has to be himself. He likes his space and is adept at controlling the pace. He needs to force Lopez to come to him and fight on the front foot. Stevenson benefits from an aggressive opponent. If he doesn’t fight himself, that’s how he can lose. He fought aggressively against Zepeda, so he knows he can’t do the same to Lopez because he’s also a true offensive threat. But as long as he fights like he always does – like a great rebounder – he can win.
battle prediction
I said it’s Stevenson’s battle to lose and if it’s anyone’s battle to lose, that means they should probably win. It’s a tough fight to pick but I’d say Stevenson will win.
Raul Marquez, former US Olympian and junior middleweight champion, boxing analyst
breaking up a fight
I’m glad this fight is happening when it’s supposed to happen. I love the way Shakur fought his last fight [William] Zepeda. We did not see him in his usual defensive posture. He was very aggressive coming forward, trading blows with Zepeda and it was entertaining. Teofimo is one of those guys where it’s all about how they get up that day. When Teofimo is on, he is a great and skilled fighter. He is a student of sports. He is very confident and explosive with great footwork. Shakur is a very intelligent warrior. Maybe he doesn’t have the power that Lopez has, but his ring intelligence and speed definitely make up for it.
This is boxing at its highest level. I think Teofimo needs to take over after three or four rounds. I really think he’s stronger and I think he has more power. But can he do the same to Shakur? I don’t know.
How does Stevenson win?
Shakur boxed using his jab, throwing straight shots up the middle and moving him around. He has to keep circling around, keep his feet in the middle of the ring, stay away from the ropes and corners. He will have to throw punches in bunches and use combinations. Catch him, hold him, lean on him, come back out with the jab, double jab and go to work. The important thing for him is to stay focused and maintain his composure.
How does Lopez win?
There will be three or four rounds of trying to understand each other, but sooner or later he will have to attack. When he’s on, he’s very elusive, comfortable, loose and out there having fun. When he does that, he’s incredible and hard to beat. The key is to always attack with combinations from all angles while moving forward.
battle prediction
I think Shakur should win but I wouldn’t be surprised if Teofimo wins. I am upset and going with Teofimo.
Al Bernstein, boxing commentator and member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame
match up
It’s interesting because Stevenson is a good boxer and a good puncher, and Lopez is also a good boxer-puncher. So, in some ways, they both have somewhat similar skills, even though they are lefties and righties. However, I think Stevenson is a more pure boxer than Lopez. The biggest question is which Lopez comes in?
In terms of consistency, you’d give the edge to Stevenson, even if he had some performances that people weren’t happy with. But the other thing about this fight is that we don’t know if either one of these fighters is going to perform even a little bit off. Will we see Stevenson be more aggressive than usual? I thought against it [William] Zepeda [in July]He showed a lot of outbursts of aggression. And will Lopez perhaps take a more measured approach than we expect? People always try to put pressure on Stevenson because he is a pure boxer – will Lopez, who has boxing skills, change his game? These are some questions we can ask ourselves.
How does Lopez win?
For Lopez, obviously, it’s important that he tries his best. And when he tries his best, he becomes a very good warrior.
I think at his best, he’s the pure definition of a boxer-puncher, but probably with an emphasis on punching. He has power and he casts people out. I think that’s what he’ll need in this fight. He will want to be aggressive; You have to do this and he has to raise his voice a little. I think Lopez needs to make sure he lets his hands go in this fight, and the sheer work of it could help him win the round. There have been fights in the past where he has been a little sloppy in terms of punch action and he can’t allow that to happen.
If he is busy, focused on both body and head and can cut off the ring – which he will have to do without Stevenson chasing him – then he has a chance to win.
How does Stevenson win?
I think he wins the way we always feel he wins fights, with really good boxing skills making sure he’s aggressive enough to win the rounds. Shakur would be better off making sure he produces enough offense to secure the round if the fight goes the long haul, which could very well be the case.
battle prediction
The problem with picking against Stevenson is that Lopez has lost and Stevenson generally wins the majority of rounds in his fights. And so, you get the feeling that he can control it all. Now, it remains to be seen if he can control it at that weight class and if he can control Lopez. But I think I’ll give the slight nod to Stevenson, but I think it’s a fight to choose him.
