Matchroom Boxing
Teofimo Lopez believes he’s ready to become the face of boxing.
On Saturday, January 31st, Lopez will face off against undefeated Shakur Stevenson at Madison Square Garden for e 140lb super-lightweight division for Lopez’s WBO belt– live on DAZN PPV.
We spoke with Lopez recently ahead of the big fight to get his thoughts on the matchup.
Shakur Stevenson is regarded as one of the best defensive fighters of his generation, how do you crack that code?
How do we crack that code? We don’t. We just do what we do, and it’ll happen itself. I think that it’s punch placement, punching placement. You got to know where you’re punching at. You got to know what you’re aiming at. And eventually, it’ll all collapse. All of it, all that Shakur is will collapse, man. I look forward to displaying that come fight night. I don’t see Shaqar as what everybody else sees. I’ll tell you the same thing I didn’t see with Josh Taylor, same thing I didn’t see with Lomachenko, Richard Corme. I just don’t see that. I guess I have a different perspective and look into the sport of boxing than others. I can’t wait to show everyone the fraud that he really is.
@jzosports Teofimo Lopez on how he’s going to be Shakur Stevenson
You guys got heated with each other during the press conference, what are your thoughts on Shakur as a person?
I think of him as a young individual trying to make a name for himself and really show everything that he wants to become. And I respect that. I respect as someone that is aiming towards something for sure. I don’t know too much to say outside of the sport. I don’t know the type of person he is outside of the sport, but from what I see in the sport, someone that’s always trying to aim for greatness, someone that’s always trying to become better than what he was in his previous fights. So it will definitely be a great fight overall, one people shouldn’t miss. But nevertheless, I I don’t think he’s the right fit for the sport of boxing when it comes to the baton of holding the light.
Why do you think you’re the person who should hold the baton of boxing?
It’s just the way you do it. It’s setting out inspiration, helping the next generation. I don’t get into fights. I don’t have a record, things of that nature. I don’t carry myself in this In this facade of being a thug. I carry myself as just a young individual trying to represent for the betterment for the next kids that I wanted to do this and aiming to become anything they want to be. I think that for myself, it’s really setting a good tone. I think I’ve done well for myself in this short term time of career, and I think now I just want to show a different side of myself.
Two guys fighting in the prime of their careers, what does this fight mean for boxing?
This is great for boxing. This is a great job overall for all of us, really. This is going to set a better tone and also let everybody else know you got to make these fights happen. Obviously, we’re hearing… Because things are always talked in my world, and we’re seeing Vergil Ortiz going at it with his promoter because I guess they want these fights being made between themselves Booth Tennis. So obviously, Shaqar and I are doing a good thing on that part by setting up bigger fights. People want to see fights early, and they want to see them now. And that’s all going to help us for the next people. If you want to You got to be the best. You got to fight the best, you got to fight the best. And sometimes you got to do it early. You can’t wait. I think people don’t want to wait no more. People just want to see great fights happen. And I think it all starts January 31st.
Terence Crawford will be in Shakur’s corner. What are your thoughts on his retirement?
He ain’t retired, man. He ain’t retired. He’ll come back, especially after what I do to his little bro. I want you Crawford, 160, 168, I’ll move up.
Last one: how do you envision this fight going?
I envision this fight going with no vision, man. I think it’s just going to happen. It’s going to happen in the way it’s going to happen, and it’s already planned to happen. I believe that all this is going to be a good lighting for myself. And Shaqar is a tough young man. He just won’t be come January 31.
Lopez vs Stevenson will take place at Madison Square Garden and will air live on DAZN PPV as well as DAZN’s Ultimate Tier subscription.
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>The wait is almost over. 🔥<br><br>This Saturday, Teofimo Lopez vs Shakur Stevenson takes over Madison Square Garden at The Ring 6, available live and exclusive worldwide on DAZN PPV.<br><br>WBO title on the line.<br>A four‑weight crown within reach.<br>Two elite fighters. One massive statement… <a href=”https://t.co/PxHGUf3Lc7″>pic.twitter.com/PxHGUf3Lc7</a></p>— DAZN (@dazngroup) <a href=”https://twitter.com/dazngroup/status/2016215990682485135?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>January 27, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>