Shakur Stevenson said he believes movement presents problems for Teofimo Lopez and has identified it as a flaw he intends to exploit.
Stevenson said Lopez is most effective when opponents stay in front of him and engage at close or mid-range. He said Lopez’s offense becomes less consistent when opponents use lateral moves and change angles.
Stevenson discussed the match during an appearance on All the Smoke.
“We all know he has issues with people moving around,” Stevenson said. “He wants them to stand in front of him. He can pick them apart when you stand right in front of him.”
Stevenson said his approach will not rely solely on movement. He said he intends to change his tactics throughout the fight rather than committing to a single style.
“I plan to do a little bit of both,” Stevenson said. “I don’t plan on moving around. I don’t plan on just standing in front. I plan on doing whatever it takes to win.”
The bout is being promoted with the involvement of Turki Alalshikh, who has publicly emphasized competitive fights and crowd involvement as a priority for his boxing events.
Stevenson said he is confident in his overall skill level when fully prepared and believes his best performances separate him from other fighters in his division.
“I don’t think any of these guys are at my level when I’m at my best,” Stevenson said.
Lopez enters the fight as the reigning WBO junior welterweight champion. He moved up from lightweight after previously holding unified titles at 135 pounds. Stevenson is a former two-division world champion looking for a third title in a new division.
The fight is scheduled for January 31 at Madison Square Garden in New York. The event will be streamed by DAZN.
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Last updated on 01/06/2026
