Claim of ‘Face Of Boxing’ before Teofimo Fight

Shakur Stevenson says he will use the new “face of boxing” in the sport after defeating WBO light welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez on January 31, 2026.

“I’m the Bigger Star”

Stevenson (24-0, 11 KOs) states that he is the one who brings in the fans, sells tickets and is the bigger star. He says he is willing to fight anyone to be recognized by fans as the ‘face of boxing’. To be the ‘Face’, Shakur would have to be entertaining, and he is not.

There are at least nine fighters at 135, 140 and 147 that Shakur would have to defeat in order to be considered the legitimate ‘Face’ of the sport. He sounds like a narcissus, much like his “brother” Keyshawn Davis spoke before he went on the shelf.

Beating Teofimo (22-1, 13 KOs) isn’t nearly good enough, as he already lost to George Kambosos. And he has some controversial wins over Jamaine Ortiz and Sandor Martinez that he should have lost in the eyes of fans.

Can He beat any of them?

• Gary Antoine Russell
• Subriel Mathias
• Andy Cruz
• Floyd Schofield
• Abdullah Mason
• Conor Benn
• Jamaine Ortiz
• Ernesto Mercado
• Richardson Hitchins

There is an excellent chance that Shakur will lose to all nine of those fighters. If he raises his game, he could potentially beat one of them, Hitchins. But as for the others, I don’t see him coming close to defeating any of them. They’re too good, and Stevenson can’t punch.

“I’m that guy. I’m the guy that’s going to put a *** in the seat. Everybody’s going to tune into my fight,” Shakur Stevenson said. Cigar talk when asked if he is the next Face of Boxing. “We can act like Teo is the A-side of this fight just because he has a belt. But really, is he the A-side?”

January 31 Will Tell All

Fans are going to tune in on January 31st, but that’s more because of Teofimo, and likely a loaded undercard. It won’t be down to Shakur because he’s not a huge draw.

“I’m the bigger fighter. After I beat him, I’m the face. Anywhere I go on the planet, everybody knows Shakur. Out with the old, in with the new. I’m the guy. It’s cool. I’m up for the challenge,” Stevenson said when told he had to beat everyone to be ‘the guy.’ “I’m up for the challenge. Starting with Teo, then who’s next?”