Shakur Stevenson Dangers Spoil Chasing Teofimo at 140

Many followers on social media imagine that Shakur Stevenson is making a mistake transferring as much as 140 to face Teofimo Lopez in early 2026.

Shakur’s lack of measurement, energy, and bodily power is why the doubters are selecting Lopez (22-1, 13 KOs) to win this bout on January 31, 2026. WBO gentle welterweight champion Teofimo has repeatedly proven he can battle within the pocket and commerce with heavy-handed opponents.

We haven’t seen Stevenson maintain his floor towards true punchers since he turned skilled in 2017. Throughout the three divisions he’s competed in, he has solely confronted one real energy risk: Edwin De Los Santos. Of their November 2023 battle, Stevenson (24-0, 11 KOs) boxed on the transfer for a lot of the 12 rounds.

Shakur’s submit earlier at present on social media — saying he received’t be participating in Thanksgiving as a result of Teofimo predicted he would make him stop — suggests he’s taking this matchup extraordinarily severely. When fighters alter their routines round a coaching camp, it normally means the stakes really feel excessive.

“No thanksgiving this 12 months for me. Dude stated he gone make me stop on the stool or knock me out… WE WORKING TODAY. F** THAT,”* stated Shakur on X.

Shakur’s final battle was towards quantity puncher William Zepeda, and he absorbed extra photographs than we sometimes see from him. He stood his floor way over common, and the tempo of that battle left seen marks on him by the ultimate bell. That was towards a fighter not recognized for single-punch energy. Teofimo presents a far totally different problem, and the stylistic matchup might be demanding.

Hopefully, Shakur and his crew have totally evaluated what comes with this bounce to 140 and the risk Lopez brings on January thirty first. A loss right here would complicate Stevenson’s plans for 2026, together with potential fights towards Conor Benn and Lamont Roach. These matchups could possibly be pushed apart relying on what occurs with Teo.