Teofimo: “I’ll Whoop Shakur So Badly He’ll Either Quit in the Corner or I’ll Knock Him Out”

WBO junior welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez spoke about WBC lightweight titleholder Shakur Stevenson.

“Shakur is slow. He’s really slow. I watched him at lightweight and I checked the highlights of his last fight with Sepeda — and I’ll say it again: he’s slow. There’s nothing more to add.

Maybe it’s the circle of people he’s around and the influence of those who currently dominate the sport — for example, Terence Crawford, whom he calls his ‘big brother’ — that’s made him want bigger names and tougher opponents.

But I haven’t yet seen Shakur face anyone tougher than who he’ll be facing next — me. I respect him for stepping into the ring, but I think the time has come for his first defeat. And you know me — I’ll whoop him so badly that he’ll either quit in the corner or I’ll knock him out,” Lopez said.

According to preliminary reports, a fight between Teofimo Lopez (22-1, 13 KO) and Shakur Stevenson (24-0, 11 KO)could take place in early 2026.

Lopez last fought in May, beating Arnold Barbosa by unanimous decision. Stevenson defeated William Sepeda by unanimous decision in July.