Teofimo Lopez hints “Finally” at 2026 Shakur fight

Teofimo Lopez posted one of his classic cryptic social media updates on his negotiations for a fight with Shakur Stevenson, saying: “Eventually” about when it will happen or be made for 2026. WBO light welterweight champion Teofimo (22-1, 13 KOs) is taking his time with talks to get the right deal against defensive performer Stevenson (24-0, 11 KOs).

Negotiations stuck in neutral for 2026

Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis’ trainer, Kenny Ellis, believes that Teofiimo doesn’t want the fight with Shakur. He doesn’t think Lopez will sign the contract. He sees this as a battle that Teofimo will not win.

Shakur’s strategic choice at 140

Ellis says he sees Shakur cherry-picking Teofimo because he is not the best, or even the second-best, in the 140-pound division. He says WBA light welterweight champion Gary Antuanne Russell and WBC champion Subriel Matias are the best. Those two would be a real problem for Shakur as they apply relentless pressure along with hitting power.

Ellis points out that Shakur’s last opponent, William Zepeda, gave him more trouble than Teofimo will because he didn’t allow him to think and set traps. Teo will give Stevenson breaks because he is not a pressure fighter.

Kenny says that Teofimo Lopez’s 12-round unanimous decision victory over former undisputed light welterweight champion Josh Taylor on June 10, 2023 did not make him the #1 fighter at 140. Teo used that win as a way to establish himself as the best light welterweight fighter. Ellis isn’t buying it, and neither are other hardcore boxing fans, who see him as a flawed domestic-level 140-pounder.

So, instead of Stevenson picking those two sharks, he went with the manufactured fighter, created by Top Rank, along with faded Josh Taylor, Steve Claggett and Pedro Campa. It makes sense. It’s smoke and mirrors with Teofimo, and the vulture-like Shakur saw the weakness.

Fans see through the matchmaking game

“Gary Russell, Matias, the guys at 140,” coach Kenny Ellis said MillCity Boxing on who should fight Shakur Stevenson at light welterweight instead of Teofimo Lopez.”No,” Ellis said when asked if he thought Shakur was fighting the best 140-pounder in Lopez. “How can Teo be the best 140-pounder if he comes from 135?”

Again, Ellis isn’t the only one who sees Shakur’s selection of Teofimo Lopez as a spider move. There are a whole lot of fans who see through this sly, opportunistic move by Stevenson. The fighters that fans believe would be an absolute nightmare for Shakur at 140 are these guys:

• Subriel Matias
• Keyshawn Davis
• Gary Antoine Russell
• Ernesto Mercado – *Inexperienced but too much power
• Richardson Hitchins
• Jamaine Ortiz

The Myth of Teofimo’s Josh Taylor Win

“No, because I didn’t look at Josh Taylor as the best 140-pounder,” Kenny said when asked if he didn’t believe Teofimo’s win over former undisputed light welterweight champion Josh Taylor in 2023 made him the #1 fighter at 140.”

Taylor’s three consecutive defeats against Teo, Jack Catterall and Ekow Essuman from 2023 to 2025 showed that he was never as good as fans saw him to be. They were fooled by Taylor’s wins over Regis Prograis in 2019 and Jose Ramirez in 2021, and believe those wins made him the best.

“I don’t think Teo can beat Shakur. I think Shakur will outbox Teo,” Ellis said. “I don’t think Teo wants to fight Shakur. He’s not signing a contract. I think (William) Zepeda will give Shakur a better fight than Teo wants. Zepeda hasn’t given Shakur a break. He’ll get a break with Teo.

Finally 🤷‍♂️

— Teofimo Lopez (@TeofimoLopez) October 28, 2025