Theofimo Lopez says he wants to see that WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson puts his push together and throws more than one at a time in his defense against volume Puncher William Zepeda on July 12 in Queens, New York.
Lopez believes that Shakur (23-0, 11 COs) will struggle if he tries to beat Zepeda (33-0, 27 COs) by throwing pot shots, which is the typical fighting style he used his entire pro and amateur career. The approach will not be practical against the relentless Zepeda, which can throw more than 100 strokes per round with power.
Zepeda’s Gatling Gun offense
William Zepeda’s offense is like a 19th-century Multi-barrel, fast fire, by hand of handed Gatling GunAnd he doesn’t stop throwing. Shakur’s puppist style to throw push will not match Zepeda’s higher rate of fire violation.
Stevenson’s defense is designed to avoid head shots. He is excellent and lean or withdraws to prevent him from being hit on the head. However, Zepeda focuses on throwing at the body, and it is an area that Stevenson cannot protect if it will follow the Aofimo’s advice on combinations.
Lopez’s 50/50 Shakur View
“Shakur (Stevenson) knows how to box such fighters (William Zepeda). I hope to see Shakur throwing more combinations. If not, it could be a 50/50 fight, ”Theofimo Lopez said The ringand give his thoughts about next month’s battle between WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson and William Zepeda in Queens, New York.
Stevenson is asked to stand in the bag to throw combinations against William Zepeda because he is not the type of fighter who “knows how to box.” Theofimo is far away with the comment.
Stevenson has never fought a high-volume puncher during his pro career. The last time he fought a fighter with a great volume offense was in the 2016 Olympics against Cubas Robeisy ramirez. He lost that battle because he couldn’t match the combination of Robeisy. Stevenson then cried without tears and could not understand why he lost. Now we are about to see the same thing happen next month when Shakur is facing.
Shakur’s glass hands over
TheOFIMO did not mention Shakur’s Glass hands. He does not have healthy hands to throw the combination he needs to keep the machinous zepeda off. Shakur’s hands are too brittle for fights and will fall apart if he is forced to stand in the bag and suit Zepeda’s ridiculously high production.
Shakur throws combinations in his fight in February against replacement opponent Josh Padley. However, it was a weak British fighter at the domestic level that UNSED STEVENSON’s promoter Eddie Hearn at the last moment when his original opponent, Floyd Schofield, withdrew from the fight.
Padley had no power or any offensive ability. He was just a random man who chose Hearn above the more dangerous option, Cuban knockout artist Jadier Herrera (17-0, 16 cost), who would have been a nightmare for Shakur. It was a wise decision by Hearn.
Shakur may have lost to Jadier, and that would have ended his search for the mega money fight that he worked against Gervonta Davis.
Last updated on 06/16/2025
