Lopez vs. Stevenson Talks Collapse – Shakur Could Face Roach

Negotiations for a fight between WBO Super Lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez and WBC Lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson have hit a dead end, according to American journalist Chris Mannix.

Reports indicate that the leading candidate to face Stevenson now is WBA Super Featherweight champion Lamont Roach.

“Talks for a fight between Teofimo Lopez and Shakur Stevenson stalled, and Saudi organizers are moving on, sources told Sports Illustrated.

From what I’ve heard, there’s been frustration with Lopez throughout the process. Now the focus is on finding another opponent for Stevenson, and the frontrunner is Lamont Roach,” wrote Mannix.

On July 12, Shakur Stevenson (24-0, 11 KOs) successfully defended his title against interim WBC Lightweight champion William Zepeda, winning by unanimous decision.

In March, Lamont Roach (25-1-2, 10 KOs) fought to a draw with WBA Lightweight champion Gervonta Davis. A rematch was scheduled for August, but Roach himself confirmed it was unlikely to happen due to a lack of clarity from Davis’ team. Soon after, it was revealed that Davis would instead face Jake Paul.

Photo: Ring Magazine