The Lomachenko version of Lopez
It’s not too late for him to switch to the pressing style he used against Loma five years ago. That approach will make it difficult for Stevenson to pick him apart with his throwback Mayweather potshot approach.
If Teo can get himself back mentally and physically to how he fought Loma that night, Russell believes he will defeat Stevenson.
In none of Lopez’s seven fights since the Lomachenko clash has he fought with that approach. That’s not to say he didn’t look good in those fights. Rather, it’s a case of him not having the aggressiveness he showed against Lomachenko.
The Kambosos battle changed Teo
It looks like Lopez’s loss to George Kambosos Jr. in 2021 changed him and turned him into more of a boxer, who only fights occasionally. Also, not having the size advantage at 140 that he enjoyed at 135 took something away from him.
“I’m going with Teo. But Teo can’t fight Shakur’s fight. That’s the only way he’s going to win,” Gary Antuanne Russell said. MillCity Boxing about the fight between Teofimo Lopez and Shakur Stevenson.
Lopez’s form against Lomachenko will be a problem for Shakur as he will chase him around the ring if he chooses to return to the style he showed against Edwin De Los Santos in 2023.
Although Shakur does have quick feet, he is not as fast as the fighters Teofimo has fought over the past five years. Both Jamaine Ortiz and Lomachenko had quicker feet and more offensive tools than Stevenson.
Shakur lives in distance and control
“If Teo fights like he did against Lomachenko, I’ve got him to win. Other than that, Shakur’s going to put him on the ropes,” says Antuanne. “He’ll put him on a leash and walk him like a dog. He’s going to give him time. He’s going to find his range with him, and he’s going to take him apart.”
Lopez will have seen what happens to fighters who choose to box Shakur. He’ll know he can’t do that, and will focus on the one approach that gave Stevenson problems. It’s pressure.
Why Shakur Power doesn’t scare anyone
“The one thing nobody can take away from Shakur,” Russell said. “He knows his distance. He has good hitting power, and a lot of people underestimate his power. Shakur will take it hands down. I obviously feel that Shakur’s hitting power is less than Teofimo Lopez’s.”
Stevenson punches well to the body, but he doesn’t show power when he goes to the head at the top. His 45.83% KO rate is indicative of his lack of pop in his shots. I don’t see that changing overnight to turn him into a retro Julian Jackson. Shakur’s strength has been resistant to change. It doesn’t seem realistic that he’s going to make improvements that will allow him to stop Lopez with his shots.
“I feel like it’s a game. It’s a 50 50 as far as IQ. What puts Teofimo Lopez right up there is his athleticism. Shakur is simplistic. In layman’s terms, he’s by the book. If you do the irresponsible thing, he’ll make you pay for it,” Russell said.
Shakur threw a few shots at them with not much speed. Interestingly, some fans believe he is fast, but that is not the reality. He has average speed. His success in the pro ranks is due to a combination of defense, footwork and matchups.
Shakur’s promoters at Top Rank and Matchroom have never put him in opposition that would test him and possibly beat him. There are quite a few fighters at 135 and 140 who would have an excellent chance to defeat Stevenson if his promoters chose to throw him in with them. Antuanne is one of them.
