Shakur Stevenson (24-0, 11 KOs) is set to headline The Ring 6 with a welterweight showdown against ‘The Takeover’ Teofimo Lopez (22-1, 18 KOs) at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Saturday. As an opponent, Lopez is far more lethal than any other competitor in Stevenson’s career but the Newark native is certainly not letting it affect his mindset.
Talking to reporters, Stevenson expressed his excitement for the upcoming fight, calling it an opportunity to prove his skills as a boxer.
“This is my moment. I’ve been waiting for this moment for years and years. I finally got the opportunity to show who I am. Teofimo will bring the best out of me. I know what I can do. I know what he can do. I just have to up the level,” he said.
With the fight drawing closer, both Stevenson and Lopez are arriving from very different but equally compelling places in their careers. Stevenson is coming in undefeated and supremely controlled, riding a run of clean, dominant wins, albeit with a tad bit of criticism following him as a perpetual friend. Lopez, on the other hand, has been riding waves rather than a straight line. Ever since he moved to junior welterweight, his career has been about redemption and consistency, especially after the shock loss against George Kambosos Jr. derailed his momentum.
This does not take away from the fact that he is still an extremely skilled and dangerous fighter. And with a far greater knockout ratio, his fists are certain to push Stevenson to the edge.
However, Stevenson believes the boxing world has yet to see the power behind his punches.
“It’s time to show what the level is. I don’t think he realizes what the level is, so we are going to have to show him. I don’t believe in the pressure,” he said. “One thing that they sleep on is my power. A lot of people say that I can’t crack, but once you get in there with these eight-ounce gloves and let me punch you, you wouldn’t want to just go through my punches.”
“Focused on The Best Business”
With him basically dominating the 135 lb division, the jump to 140 hasn’t been challenging, or so says Stevenson. In fact, he stated that he has no qualms about going up in weight for future fights, provided it’s good for business.
“I was making 135 easily. I didn’t struggle to make the weight. At this point in my career, I am focused on the best business based on the options. Whatever makes the most sense to push us forward,” he said.
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