A former world champion has reflected on the timing of his showdown with Shakur Stevenson, believing that he should have fought the slick southpaw in 2023.
Stevenson is widely regarded as one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world, and that was evident back in January when he defeated Teofimo Lopez.
Back then, ‘The Takeover’ was coming off arguably a career-best performance against Josh Taylor, who he dethroned with a unanimous decision victory for the WBO super-lightweight title.
Lopez then made two lacklustre defences against Jamaine Ortiz and Steve Claggett, before producing a far more dynamic display while unanimously outpointing Arnold Barboza Jr.
Based on that, many expected the American to at least win a few rounds against Stevenson, who ultimately dominated their 12-round encounter in January.
Since then, the two-weight world champion has criticised his father and trainer, Lopez Sr, who was berated for his bizarre corner work earlier this year.
But while he was unhappy with the tactics, Lopez has also told Ariel Helwani that he would have stood a better chance at defeating Stevenson two years ago.
“I’d say what went wrong [was] the gameplan. [Stevenson’s] a class act – a defensive fighter, at that – and I think the whole [problem] was the miscommunication, and possibly just taking a fight with Shakur at [that] particular time.
“Maybe earlier on – after the Taylor [victory] and those types of fights – would have been best.”
While disappointed with his last result, Lopez must now focus on becoming a three-weight world champion against Rolando Romero.
The pair will square off at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena this evening, with ‘Rolly’ making a first defence of his WBA title.
He claimed the WBA ‘regular’ strap in May 2025, dropping and unanimously outpointing Ryan Garcia, and has since been upgraded to full welterweight champion.
