‘I know he can’t beat me’: Shakur Stevenson anticipates Teofimo Lopez bout
As Shakur Stevenson prepares for his forthcoming 140 lb title match against reigning champion Teofimo Lopez, he appears with Andre Ward and Roy Jones Jr on All The Smoke Fight to discuss this opportunity to truly make an impact in a high-profile fight on January 31. Below are some quotes from Shakur. Shakur on his feelings leading up to the Teofimo encounter “I’ve been feeling great. I’ve been sharp and focused. Training camp is going smoothly, so now we just wait for the day. I’m ready; I’m definitely coming to shock the world.” On their previous sparring session “We sparred for about three rounds…It was fine, but there wasn’t much to obtain from it. When we got in there, I feel like I did well. He might feel he accomplished something. So, from what I remember — as I said, I know he can’t beat me. That’s how I feel.” On how he views Teofimo’s style “I think he’s the real deal. He does many things well. I think he’s flashy. However, there are certain fundamental aspects where I perceive he makes errors and I feel like I’m going to take advantage of those errors. “I’m competitive, man. I want to be the best. So when I see certain fighters and I witnessed Teo’s latest fight up close, I thought ‘wow this guy reminds me of a young Roy (Jones).’…That intrigued me and made me eager to see if he could execute those moves against my style.” On his performance versus Zepeda “Honestly, I believe that Zepeda’s style is one that should pose the most challenge for me. For me, boxers who allow me to think are those that will give me a tough time all night. On the other hand, fighters who press me and keep throwing punches are the style that’s supposed to trouble me. Therefore, I went out there and succeeded against that style, and now I’m facing a boxer, which makes it more enjoyable for me. I won’t have to contend with someone trying to wear me down excessively. Now, I get to do what I excel at: play chess. So I’m looking forward to it.” On what challenges Teofimo in the ring “We all know he has struggled with opponents who move around the ring. He likes it when fighters stand right in front of him, allowing him to pick them apart. However, I plan to — without revealing the strategy — blend a bit of both. I won’t be solely moving around, nor will I just stand in front. I aim to do everything necessary to win. “Teo is a remarkable fighter, and I recognize that, but I don’t believe any of these guys can match me at my best. So, he’s got a lot to contend with come January 31.”
Published: 2026-01-07 14:56:00
source: www.badlefthook.com
