Teofimo Lopez said Shakur Stevenson used tactics in their recent fight that went beyond standard exchanges, pointing to close-quarters moments that he believes influenced the fight.
Lopez lost his WBO light welterweight title to Stevenson via a 12-round unanimous decision on January 31, with the challenger moving up from 135 pounds to take the fight.
In the fight, Stevenson controlled much of the action through his movement and defensive positioning throughout the rounds.
Teofimo said Stevenson stomped on his foot and used his arms during clinches, describing those sequences as part of what he experienced in the ring and how those moments played out during the fight.
“In the fight he stepped on my foot and elbowed me in between those moments when we clinched. You just have to make it a dirty fight,” Teofimo told Boxing High.
He also talked about Stevenson’s control of distance and positioning, pointing out how those elements affected the pace of the fight and limited openings over the rounds.
“He knows how to create enough space to where he’s defensively where he needs to be. I think Shakur is a great fighter. Do I think he totally believes in himself? No,” Teofimo said.
The comments come three months after Teofimo’s loss to Stevenson, with him revisiting specific moments of the fight and detailing adjustments he believes were available at different points during the fight.
Shakur’s movement and positioning made it difficult for Teofimo to pin down, and he showed frustration as the rounds wore on, looking to find openings.
Months later, Teofimo looks back on the fight by pointing to specific moments and adjustments that didn’t come together during the fight, including the exchanges at close range and the difficulty of changing the rhythm of the fight.
Click here to subscribe to our FREE newsletter
Related Boxing News:
Last updated on 2026/04/15 at 07:50
