Shakur Stevenson’s style can beat theofimo Lopez

Coach Buddy McGirt is convinced that Shakur Stevenson has the ‘style’ to defeat Theofimo Lopez in their potential East Coast collision in 2026.

Stevenson’s risk in New York

McGirt does not say what Shakur (24-0, 11 COs) will do for him that will enable him to defeat the WBO lights of welterweight champion TheOFIMO (22-1, 13 COs). This battle can end badly for Shakur, as Lopez has a lot of offensive artillery that he will drop off at him in this meeting.

McGirt mentions that Shakur will have to stand and fight his land, as the competition is likely to be staged in New York in Madison Square Garden. Fighting as he did against William Zepeda could be beaten. He was probably dropped by a right hand of Zepeda in the third round of their battle on July 12, 2025, New York.

Lopez holds size and power edge

1. Physical size
2. Superior puncher
3. Pressure
4. Experience against opposition at elite level

Stevenson collapsed in the ropes, which stopped him. The referee could not score it as a knockout, but it was clear that Shakur was beaten. The repetitions confirmed this. If a non-puncher like Zepeda can do it against Stevenson, just think what a power station like Lopez will do.

Turki Alalshikh’s Lifeline for Shakur

Stevensons is a low-output-pot shot-in fighter with the outdated Mayweather fighter style. He is like a hybrid version of that style, but more of a runner -up, so he has not become popular.

Fans’ taste has changed. They want to see action fighters. If it wasn’t for Turki Alalahikh, Shakur would probably have driven away in anonymity after he chose to keep ways with the top rank when his contract was terminated. Turki gave Shakur a platform by including him on the lower cards in two of his Riyadh season meetings against beaten opposition, William Zepeda and Josh Padley.

If we assume the fight is fed, Shakur will freeze his WBC lightweight belt and move to 140 to challenge theofimo for his WBO title. It will be a one -time for Stevenson, as he intends to return to 135 to defend against Super Featherweight Lamont Roach next.

McGirt confident in Shakur’s style

“With Shakur, they say, ‘Style makes fights. “I think Shakur’s style will give him trouble. Millcity BoxingHis thoughts on Theofimo Lopez against Shakur Stevenson.

At 28 What is Shakur waiting for? If he didn’t show his “best” at this point, when will it be? I don’t think McGirt understands that it’s as good as with Stevenson. He has shown all the type of fighter he is going to be, and he will not suddenly turn into an entertaining fighter.

At lightweight, Shakur is not the same fighter as when he had a big advantage over his opposition, and fighting at 126 and 130. Now that he is fighting at 135, he looks average, and he could only keep things together because of the match by his promoters.

They created Stevenson against fighters from the lower levels: Josh Padley, Artem Harutyunyan, Shuichiro Yoshino, Edwin de Los Santos and William Zepeda

We saw how eager Shakur was to fight against Zepeda. Do you know why? Because he had a perfect style for him because he is not a puncher. The fighters that Shakur does not push to fight are guys with power, like this:

• Andy cruz
• Herrera Cores
• Abdullah Mason
• Raymond Muratalla
• Floyd Schofield

“He does just enough to win, but in such a fight,” Buddy says of Stevenson. “I think Shakur will walk to the board and go on. They will have to, because they are fighting in front of their hometowns. ‘

Stevenson will have to do a lot more on offense than he did in his last fight against William Zepeda if he wants to defeat Lopez. He did very little in that battle and was exceeded and exceeded by Zepeda.

It seems that the judges overlook what Zepeda offends, focusing on the potshots of Shakur. It turned out that the judges scored the fight as if it were an amateur match rather than a professional, and preferred to focus on the head.

Theofimo has found that Potshot style in Pat, as he has been fighting his entire nine-year career since he first became in 2016. His excellent thrust will make Stevenson an extreme disadvantage because he can’t fit himself in the area.

Running strategy can fly back badly

The only profession that Shakur will have is to run like against Edwin de Los Santos and try to limit the number of shots Lopez hits him with. It will be a boring battle, but Shakur does not have much choice. He will have to imitate the style that uses his idol, Terence Crawford, to defeat Canelo Alvarez.

Will Stevenson embrace a rougher?

If Stevenson can fight like that, he has a chance. The disadvantage is that he will be staged from which place the competition will be staged. I think he won’t mind because he has adopted all the villain staff. So, he can play the heel from start to finish.