WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson has emerged as one of the biggest names in the lightweight division. His skills and IQ have made him one of the most avoided fighters by the biggest names in his division. And it appears WBO super lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez knows that better than anybody, as he issued a warning to everyone who may get in Stevenson’s crosshairs.
The Newark native is coming off a dominant ninth round knockout win over England’s Josh Padley earlier this year. He is now looking at several options for his next rendezvous in the ring, which includes ‘Interim’ WBC lightweight champion William Zepeda. However, the fight Stevenson has been dreaming about is against WBA lightweight champion Gervonta Davis.
Despite callouts, taunts, and tantrums, the Baltimore native has refused to step into the ring with Stevenson, as fans continue their demands to see it unfold. Davis is currently busy with his potential rematch against Lamont Roach Jr. after suffering his first career draw in early March. Regardless, ‘The Takeover’ Lopez seems to know why Davis doesn’t want the smoke against Stevenson.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 20: Teofimo Lopez celebrates his fifth rounf knockout of Edis Tatli during their lightweight fight at Madison Square Garden on April 20, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
While appearing in an interview with Fight Hub TV recently, the 27-year-old boasted about Stevenson’s skills, highlighting Stevenson as the only one who can rival his own. “Stevenson got skills to put everybody to sleep,” he said during the interview. “Man, if there’s any other boxer that I know could put anybody asleep, it’s Shakur Stevenson. I ain’t never seen something like that in my life.”
When asked why he isn’t running a fade against the Newark native, Lopez revealed he expects Stevenson to come up to super lightweight. “Well, because first things first, Shakur gotta go up and wait. Second thing, second, we gotta fight Barboza first,” Lopez said in the interview. Lopez and Arnold Barboza are expected to lock horns on May 2 in New York on the undercard of Ryan Garcia vs. Rolly Romero for Lopez’s WBO belt.
In the meantime, Lopez isn’t alone in boasting about Stevenson’s skills.
Shakur Stevenson is expected to prove a tough challenge for William Zepeda
Shakur Stevenson is expected to present a formidable challenge for William Zepeda if the two meet in the ring this year. Zepeda, who recently secured a majority decision win over Tevin Farmer to retain his WBC interim lightweight title, is eyeing a shot at Stevenson’s full championship. However, boxing analyst Sergio Mora believes the undefeated American will be a difficult puzzle to solve.
“I don’t think anyone looks good against Shakur Stevenson,” Mora said on DAZN. “That’s how brilliant he is. He’s a master boxer, another southpaw, quick on his feet.” Stevenson’s defensive prowess and Olympic pedigree have frustrated many opponents, making him one of the most technically sound fighters in the division. While Zepeda’s relentless pressure and high punch output could pose challenges, Mora believes Stevenson “has everything you don’t want to face in a fighter.”
That said, Shakur Stevenson is seemingly held in high regard by top fighters and experts alike. And rightly so, but only time will tell whether the Newark native can assert his dominance over the likes of Gervonta Davis. Who do you think will win a fight between Stevenson and Davis?
The post Gervonta Davis Left Thinking as Teofimo Lopez Puts Shakur Stevenson Above Everyone: “Never Seen Something Like This” appeared first on EssentiallySports.
