“I’ll cook him next” vs. Teofimo Lopez

By Elliot Raines: Shakur Stevenson predicted today that he was going to be “cook” Teofimo Lopez next in their still unannounced fight in early 2026. He says he wants Lopez (22-1, 13 KOs) to “prove” all the bold talk that he’s been talking about their fight for months.

If that fight goes ahead, Shakur will move up to 140 to challenge Teofimo (22-1, 13 KOs) for his WBO light welterweight title in what is expected to be shown on DAZN PPV in a main event. It would be by far the riskiest fight of 2016 Olympic silver medalist Stevenson’s career.

“I’ll cook him next”

It’s impossible to predict how Shakur will fare, as his opposition in the pro ranks has not been stellar to this point. The fighters Oscar Valdez and Jamel Herring, against whom he fought, were older and nearing the end of their careers.

Fans on social media are expressing skepticism about Shakur’s ability to do what he is talking about, as he was constantly on the move in his fight against puncher Edwin De Los Santos on November 16, 2023. This is the only fighter at 135 that Stevenson has fought with power. His promoters matched him against exclusively light hitters since against three three:

• William Zepeda
• Josh Padley
• Artem Harutyunyan

I cook him next, Tell him prove that shit to the world he said @TeofimoLopez https://t.co/FTyVCqpAt5

— Shakur Stevenson (@ShakurStevenson) November 4, 2025

The way Stevenson fought his last opponent, William Zepeda, on July 12, 2025, suggests that he may struggle against Lopez. He hits too hard, and would feast on a fighter fighting off the ropes like Stevenson did against the volume puncher Zepeda.

Amateur habits still visible

Using his normal punch-and-no-punch style may not be effective against Lopez, as the judges won’t be able to tolerate seeing Teo chase him around the ring for 12 rounds. Shakur cried after losing to Cuba’s Robeisy Ramirez in the 2016 Olympics when the judges failed to give him the win because of the excessive movement he used.

Promoters cannot protect him now

In the pros, Stevenson hasn’t changed. He still fights the same way he did in the amateurs, and it hasn’t cost him yet because of the matchmaking done by his promoters. His ambition to challenge Teofimo may cost him. His promoters can’t protect him in this one.

Elliot Raines has been covering British and European boxing since 2010. Known for his sharp pen and low tolerance for hype, Raines analyzes the sport’s politics, promoters and paper champions with dry precision.