The excuse before the battle: Shakur Stevenson’s Strategic ‘Not My Real Weight’ statement

Shakur Stevenson said about social today “When” He defeated WBO Light Welterweight Champion Theofimo Lopez to win his fourth divisional title in a division, not his ‘real weight class’, he wants to know what people are going to say ‘then?’

(Credit: Golden Boy)

A proclamation of superiority

In other words, Shakur (24-0, 11 COs) declares himself better than theofimo (22-1, 13 COs). Talking as if it is inevitable that he will defeat Lopez to become a world champion of four divisions and Ring Magazine champion, he places himself as the A-side that is still a signed match.

Set the trap for theo

With that troll -like mail, he forces theofimo to fire back to him. If he does, it will show Stevenson that his post has worked to get into his mind and upset him. If Lopez says nothing, it would indicate that he is careless, untouched and spiritually strong.

‘It’s not even my real weight class, ” Shakur said he was fighting against theofimo at 140.

A built -in escape route

What Shakur does with this remark is to set the stage to make it as a built -in excuse In the event that he loses against Lopez. If he was beaten, he could tell his fans that he was fighting outside his weight class at 140 and trying to be wonderful.

So when I knocked the Teo and a 4 -weight world champion and the magazine champion of Ring at 140, and that’s not even my right weight class, what do you say? 😈

– Shakur Stevenson (@shakurstevenson) September 5, 2025

There will be enough sympathetic fans to give Shakur a free pass after a loss of Teo, and his popularity will not get a hit. This is a situation where Stevenson comes forward anyway. It’s a win-win. If he defeats Lopez, he will receive full credit and be celebrated by fans. If he loses, he has the built -in excuse to fight outside his natural weight class of 135.

Ideally, Shakur does not have to create an excuse in advance if he loses against Lopez. But if you pay millions by Turki Alalshikh to fight on his cards, it is of the utmost importance to have an excuse if things go badly against Teo. Using the weight excuse to avoid the inevitable setback can work.