- 9 months ago
🌟 BIG FIGHTS, BIG THOUGHTS! 🌟 In today's electrifying video, boxing legend Floyd Mayweather shares his FIRST WORDS on the highly anticipated showdown between rising stars Shakur Stevenson and Teofimo Lopez! 🥊 Dive into the mind of Money Mayweather as he breaks down the skills, strengths, and potential strategies of these two formidable fighters. Will Shakur's speed outweigh Teofimo's raw power? 💥 Join the conversation in the comments below and let us know who YOU think will take home the victory! Don't forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit that notification bell 🔔 to stay updated on all things boxing
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00:00The most skillful fighter, skillful fighter at 135 will be hands down Shakur Stegans.
00:07What is it about him? Because I know you have a lot of good attributes, but do you think he has enough power to sustain?
00:16Well, it's really all about skills. Pernell Whitaker wasn't a huge puncher, but he was, I mean, very exciting, very tough, and he fought everybody.
00:26Shakur is trying to do the same thing.
00:27Yeah, I actually set this fight up, and I honestly did it because I wanted to push myself.
00:33It's one of the best fights you can make in boxing, point blank period. These two are the best in the world at a young age, prime of both of their careers. This is what boxing needs.
00:44Floyd Mayweather has finally weighed in on the Shakur Stevenson versus Teofimo Lopez bout, and his first public sentiments have added a big narrative to the fight because Money Mayweather isn't just talking trash, he's showing respect for Stevenson's credentials.
00:57Mayweather has been quoted as saying that Stevenson deserves to be considered the A-side of the matchup, believing that Stevenson's accomplishments and standing in the sport at this stage of his career warrant top billing over Lopez, even though the bout has its own marketing dynamics.
01:12That endorsement carries weight because Mayweather is widely regarded as one of the greatest defensive and technically gifted boxers of all time, and for him to publicly suggest Stevenson should be the featured fighter implies he views Stevenson as one of the best in his division and among the most skilled fighters in boxing today.
01:29Floyd, who, when you think about the fighters who are fighting now, can you give me your one, two, three, four, and five when it comes to the lightweight, who you would put where?
01:42As of right now, the two guys, the biggest puncher I feel at the 135 would probably be Javante Tank Davis, but the most skillful fighter at 135 would be hands down Shakur Stevens.
01:58What is it about him? Because I know you have a lot of good attributes, but do you think he has enough power to sustain?
02:08Well, it's really all about skills. Pernell Whitaker wasn't a huge puncher, but he was, I mean, very exciting, very tough, and he fought everybody.
02:18Shakur is trying to do the same thing. He want to fight the best they got out there.
02:22I believe his contract is coming to an end, so hopefully we can come together and I can take him to that next level.
02:28The fight between Shakur Stevenson and Teofimo Lopez for January 31, 2026, is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing matchups in boxing,
02:37not just because of what's at stake, but because of what it reveals about both fighters and how professionals, trainers, and pundits view it.
02:44Stevenson, undefeated at 24-0 with 11 knockouts and already a world champion at three weight classes,
02:50is moving up to 140 pounds to challenge Lopez, the WBO junior welterweight title holder, who is 22-1 with 13 stoppages.
03:00On paper, it's a clash of styles and legacies.
03:03Stevenson trying to become a four-division champion and Lopez trying to legitimize his status among the elite at 140.
03:09And beyond the hype, fans, pros, and analysts have been weighing in with varied takes on what this fight truly means.
03:16It is official.
03:19New York City, January 31, Shakur Stevenson, Teofimo Lopez.
03:24I always say it, when boxing gets it right, no other sport comes close.
03:29And this is boxing getting it right, the best fighting the best.
03:33Both fighters believe that this matchup settles the argument about who leads the new era.
03:41So what do we think of the styles matchup, guys?
03:43This is a high-speed chess match a la Sugar Ray Leonard or Pernell Whitaker, you know, Leonard and Benitez,
03:50or Pernell Whitaker, Buddy McGirt, or is it a Jerry versus Jerry fight, right?
03:56Because no one wants to take the lead, or is it something else?
03:59Stevenson has openly discussed how significant this contest is to him,
04:02framing it as a chance to prove he's among the very best pound-for-pound fighters in the sport.
04:08He's acknowledged that Lopez will be the toughest opponent he's faced to date,
04:11noting that Teo is not someone to be taken lightly and that the stylistic matchup is tricky
04:16because they're bad-style matchups for each other,
04:19both capable of adapting and posing problems for the other's game plan.
04:23Stevenson has emphasized his confidence in his own abilities, his speed, defense, and versatility,
04:29while suggesting that Lopez makes a lot of mistakes that he can exploit.
04:32He's also been candid, blasting Lopez's confidence as delusional,
04:37and even questioning his mental state, calling him crazy in interviews,
04:41but simultaneously respecting the danger that mindset can bring when a fighter is driven by that belief.
04:46You know, people think the fight with Teo is either going to be you delivering a masterclass.
04:51Or a knockout by Teo.
04:52Yeah, or you getting into some type of brawl with Teo and end up getting knocked out, right?
04:56What are fans getting wrong about the matchup?
04:58I think the fans getting wrong about the matchup is what I'm not sleeping on that I know about Teo.
05:03Teo's a good boxer.
05:05He's boxer first.
05:06So we can say, oh, he's just going to knock you out.
05:09He's just going to—that's not him.
05:11He's boxing first.
05:12He's going to want to establish distance and range on the outside and try to beat me up on the outside.
05:19So I think that's the main thing.
05:20And also the biggest thing that everybody don't realize with me, I can punch.
05:25Everybody say, oh, he can't punch and then boom, crack somebody and then they laying down or something may happen to where they hurt or something like that.
05:33So I think that's two big things where they don't understand or know.
05:37Lopez's camp and Lopez himself have fired back in kind, rejecting any narrative that he's the underdog and embracing the opportunity to shock the boxing world again.
05:46Lopez has pointed to his career highlight wins, including his upset victory over Vasily Lomachenko and his run of success at light welterweight, to underline that he thrives when fighters underestimate him.
05:58He's stated his desire to break the bank by upsetting expectations and thinks his power and style will trouble Stevenson if he can execute his game plan effectively.
06:07Lopez's critiques of Stevenson focus on the belief that Shakur is scared to get hit,
06:11asserting that once Stevenson's jab is neutralized, Lopez's aggression and power punching will be the deciding factor.
06:18So what was it about Shakur where you said, you know, I'll stick around at 140 and fight this guy?
06:25His last fight, Sepeda. His last fight.
06:29You don't know how many people are talking about him? On every scale level.
06:34And when it came to the talks of me and Haney fighting in August, I didn't go for it because he had no motion.
06:41Now he does after the Brian Norman. But Shakur, it's all there.
06:45But I didn't focus on him. I was focused on what's next.
06:51Trusting my power team, trusting on my team and what can do and who can we fight next.
06:56Shakur decided, he initiated, let's go up to fight Teal.
07:00You have a healthy Teal Fimo Lopez in there. He's going to bring it and he's going to entertain the prize.
07:06Definitely. Do you feel that this is going to be the toughest test of his career?
07:08We know that Shakur, this is not the toughest fight? What was the toughest fight?
07:12It's never been the toughest fight for my son. You know, the toughest fight for my son is him being healthy.
07:18You know, he's a man. You know, and we got to be careful with that because he's losing the weight.
07:24You know, you know, he's, he's, we're moving after this fight, we're moving up to 147.
07:29Oh, okay. You're going to stay at 147. All right.
07:32Trainers and boxing insiders have offered a mix of predictions and analysis, further highlighting how contentious and stylistically complicated this matchup is.
07:41Renowned trainer Abel Sanchez has suggested that the fight's excitement will hinge on Lopez's willingness to lead and press forward.
07:48If Lopez sits back and counter punches like Stevenson tends to do, the contest risks becoming stagnant.
07:54Sanchez predicted a potential draw where each man has great rounds, but also warned that the fight could lack fireworks if neither man commits to decisive action.
08:03That view underscores a common thread in professional analysis.
08:07Both fighters are brilliant technicians, but neither is a natural aggressor, which might result in a chess match rather than nonstop action.
08:14Special fight. It's the type of matchups we always are acting for. When it comes to explosiveness, I would have to go with T.O.
08:20When it comes to actual rapid speed, I would have to go with T.O.
08:23But when it comes to body punching, when it comes to good timing, when it comes to craft, I would have to give all of that to Shakira Stevenson.
08:29What do you think, Doug?
08:30They're both boxers. I look at Stevenson as a, as a versatile technician.
08:36I look at Teofimo. He's a boxer puncher, but his, his specialty is his counter punching.
08:41Listen, if Stevenson wants to be on his stick-and-move game, very difficult style matchup for Teofimo, and maybe not that entertaining to the fans.
08:51Because Stevenson's longer.
08:52Exactly.
08:53Stevenson's, Stevenson's defense is probably the best in the game, and he's longer.
08:56And great, and great reflexes and timing, and, and so does Teo. That's why he's a great counter puncher.
09:01But, but Teo's, he's a very special athlete, and as a competitor, he is one of those guys who, who saves his A game for a fellow elite opponent.
09:10That's when he really rises his game, and, and, and shows us the Teofimo Lopez that everybody thought he was when he was a prospect.
09:18People used to look at him and say, oh, this guy is going to be the star in boxing.
09:22It didn't really play out that way, but every now and then he reminds us how special he is.
09:27Teofimo has, is a two-time, two-division ring magazine champion.
09:32In both fights where he won the ring magazine championship, he was the underdog.
09:36Four-to-one underdog against Lomachenko.
09:39People forget, Lomachenko was taking elite fighters in the lower divisions, and they were quitting.
09:45Yes.
09:45He was beating them into something, they were like, I can't do this, right?
09:48And Teofimo beat him, right?
09:51He outboxed him.
09:52Yeah, he didn't do it by physically imposing himself on him.
09:54He outboxed him, he outfought him, he had speed, power, and then again, against Josh Taylor at junior welterweight, he was the underdog.
10:03So he saves his best for his biggest moments.
10:05Top trainer Robert Garcia admitted he finds it difficult to pick a clear winner, but leaned slightly toward Lopez in his assessment.
10:12Citing Lopez's experience at 140 and his proven ability to hang with elite competition.
10:18Garcia's perspective reflects a respect for Lopez's accomplishments and acknowledges that, despite Stevenson's technical excellence,
10:25Lopez has tools and experience that could tilt close rounds in his favor.
10:29Meanwhile, former sparring partner Oshak Foster has voiced skepticism about Stevenson's power and suggested Lopez's strength gives him the edge,
10:37arguing that Stevenson's reliance on movement and boxing IQ might not be sufficient to overcome Lopez's physicality.
10:44Teofimo Lopez, Shakur is 80% done.
10:47You know both of them, you like both of them.
10:49Break down the fight.
10:50Tough one.
10:51Tough one to pick.
10:53Tough one to save.
10:54If you're in each guy's corner, I know, no, you're cool about him.
10:58Teofimo, he's Latino, so I'm going to chill for him, but Haney's got some of the best skills in boxing, man.
11:05So how does it unfold?
11:07Not Haney, Shakur.
11:08Yeah, how does it unfold?
11:09He has some of the best skills in boxing, man.
11:11Oh, man.
11:12So does Teofimo.
11:13It's a fucking badass fight.
11:14I can't wait for it to happen, but I can pick a winner.
11:18So you're going to be a fan for that one?
11:20I'm going to be a fan for that one.
11:21I can't pick a winner.
11:22But keep inside, I would love to see if the women win it all.
11:25The context of this fight also matters.
11:27Stevenson's move up in weight to 140 pounds is significant because it marks his first time competing professionally in this division,
11:34and many analysts view this as his toughest test yet.
11:37Unlike some fighters who dominate their natural weight classes,
11:40Stevenson is challenging himself against a champion known for power and aggression.
11:44Lopez, meanwhile, has had a somewhat inconsistent trajectory at 140,
11:49with decision wins rather than stoppages defining his recent defenses,
11:53which leads some pundits to question whether he's the most formidable champion at that weight.
11:57Still, his resume includes high-profile victories and experience in big fights that cannot be overlooked.
12:03Stevenson, man.
12:04Happy to have you on the platform, man.
12:06Big fight coming up.
12:07I heard you was the one that wanted to fight, right?
12:10Yeah, yeah, yeah.
12:10I actually set this fight up, and I honestly did it because I wanted to push myself.
12:16I know that T.O. is a tremendous fighter.
12:19I know he's on an extremely high level.
12:22And I feel like, well, I know that I can beat him, but I know that this should be a tough set, so I'm ready.
12:30Who were some of the other options you had?
12:32Lamont Roach.
12:34Lamont Roach.
12:35That would have been a real good fight, man.
12:38But, I mean, T.O., he's a bigger name, though, so I see why you went with him.
12:42Yeah, bigger name, and also he got more accolades.
12:45He's been undisputed before.
12:48He's on one belts at 35, one belts at 40, so he's more accomplished.
12:54So I know that that would be a better name on my resume.
12:58Yeah, a lot of people saying that this is going to be a tough fight for you.
13:01I mean, they absolutely right to have their opinion on him.
13:06I already know this guy's good.
13:07I done came up in the amateurs with him.
13:09I chose this for that reason.
13:11Like, I chose this because I wanted to challenge myself.
13:15I wanted to put myself in a situation to where...
13:17According to analysis circulating about the Teofimo Lopez versus Shakur Stevenson fight,
13:22Teofimo Lopez and boxing commentators believe Stevenson's biggest flaw is his fear of getting hit
13:28and lack of power once his jab is neutralized.
13:31Lopez has publicly stated that Stevenson is more concerned with avoiding clean shots
13:35than engaging in physical exchanges, suggesting that this hesitation makes him scared to get hit
13:40and less effective against heavy hitters, a weakness Lopez plans to exploit
13:44by timing Stevenson's slower punches and applying pressure when Stevenson tries to play it safe.
13:50Folks, all right, we are back on the way concept presented by The Ring Magazine.
13:54And I am pumped for this video because we have a sit down between Teofimo Lopez and Shakur Stevenson
14:00ahead of their big time fight on January 31st.
14:04Madison Square Garden, ring number six.
14:07Shakur looking to move up and be a four division world champ.
14:10Obviously, Teo looking to maintain the ring belts at 140.
14:14But this is going to be hilarious.
14:17I watched their press conference today and there were some moments in that presser
14:21that made you say, hey, yo, it was one of the zestiest press conferences ever.
14:25But it was just that it was a boxing press conference that, you know,
14:28those things tend to get kind of stale.
14:30But doing this sit down with Rick Reno on the Mr. Versace podcast,
14:35I think is going to be a lot more entertaining.
14:37So let's take a look at this.
14:38Let's see these two talk about their matchup.
14:41It's one of the best fights you can make in boxing point blank period.
14:43These two are the best in the world at a young age, prime of both of their careers.
14:49This is what boxing needs.
14:50It's what we want more from boxing.
14:52So the fight we know is going to be fireworks.
14:54But what's the buildup going to be like?
14:56What's the thing that's going to make us tune in on fight night?
15:00For Ryan Garcia, Devin Haney, it was the rivalry and the chaos surrounding.
15:04For Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, it was undisputed at heavyweight.
15:08What's it going to be for this one?
15:09Yes, championships are on the line.
15:11Yes, it's one of the best fights you can make in boxing.
15:13Yes, it's going to be a display of the sweet science.
15:16Stevenson has been very vocal about his upcoming fight with Teofimo Lopez.
15:20And one of the most talked about revelations is what Floyd Mayweather told him ahead of the bout.
15:25Stevenson said Mayweather called him and expressed strong feelings about how the fight should be presented,
15:30specifically telling Stevenson that he believes Stevenson should be the A side of this matchup rather than the B side,
15:35emphasizing that Stevenson's resume, skills, and accomplishments merit top billing against Lopez.
15:40Shakur Stevenson has implied there's tension rooted in perceived jealousy between him and Teofimo Lopez,
15:47especially around comments Lopez made about ESPN's promotion of fighters.
15:51Comments that Stevenson interpreted as Lopez being jealous of the recognition and visibility that ESPN gives black fighters like himself.
16:00Lopez once said that if ESPN wanted the black fighters, they could keep them.
16:04A remark made out of frustration about not feeling prioritized by the network and promoters, despite his accomplishments.
16:10And it sparked significant backlash and discussion about his motives and mindset.
16:14It seemed like to me, just from the outside looking in, that he was pushed ahead of you.
16:20He was getting the fights that you were calling for Loma, he got Loma.
16:25You wanted other guys, he was getting other guys.
16:27Did you see him as a future foe? Because at one point you were two divisions ahead of him.
16:31I think that everything just plays out the way it does.
16:34And eventually we was going to end up meeting up with each other eventually.
16:37I think that that's how it works, right?
16:39When two greats collide, you're bound to see a great fight.
16:43So I just, I had never seen any jealousy in my part with him.
16:48I mean, for crying out loud, he fought for Team USA, he got a silver medal.
16:52No, not during them times, though.
16:53And the whole thing was pushed.
16:54Not during them times.
16:55I'm speaking on the times where I felt like you had a push start.
16:58You got the, you used to be ahead of me as far as like, you was the code on a Terrence Crawford card.
17:06I was underneath.
17:07Then you got the opportunity to fight with Lomachenko.
17:10And after that, I felt like I kind of got pushed more than you.
17:15And you felt some type of way about the way that I was pushed more than you.
17:18When it came down to ESPN.
17:21I remember you saying a little comment with the ESPN only like black fighters and all that kind of stuff.
17:28And when you said that, I kind of felt like it was a shot at me.
17:31To hell?
17:32That's where we're going.
17:33ESPN only likes black fighters.
17:34I don't remember that.
17:35But all right, let's take it there then.
17:38Shit.
17:38What are we saying, Tio?
17:39They only watching the black fighters over at ESPN?
17:42I felt like it was a little bit of jealousy.
17:44No, I just didn't give an F.
17:47That's all.
17:48Cool.
17:48I just didn't give an F about it at all.
17:50Yeah, but when you said in the comments, you said something there.
17:53It was something you said at that time.
17:55That was something.
17:56It was the way you felt, right?
17:57Nah, I just pushed the movement that I felt like we was taking over as we are now.
18:03Like I said, I think you're the truth.
18:04I know I'm the truth and can't wait to see it.
18:07Yo, Shakur is showing them teeth off, son.
18:10Now that he got that gap fixed, Shakur is showing them shits off.
18:13That man's smiling.
18:14That man, you know what I'm saying?
18:15Just throwing them teeth out there.
18:16And he should.
18:17Everybody giving Shakur a stick about fixing his gap in his teeth.
18:20Y'all would do the same shit.
18:21Just because J. Cole got on a song and talked about how he never fixed his gap in his tooth.
18:25He wanted to remain himself or whatever.
18:27I'm not with that.
18:28If you got something like that, where you know what I'm saying?
18:30You got the saloon doors in the middle.
18:32Gums with no teeth.
18:33You want to push the shits together.
18:34You know what I'm saying?
18:34You want to bring the whole family together.
18:36I'm not mad at that at all.
18:38But Shakur is flexing them.
18:39You know what I'm saying?
18:40Now, Shakur, you, judging by the recent CompuBox numbers, you're number one by a mile as far as fighters not landing any power punches on you.
18:50Raleigh Romero has sounded off on the Shakur Stevenson versus Teofimo Lopez fight in recent clips and social posts, hyping up the matchup and saying it would be a great fight that fans would enjoy because of both fighters' skills and backgrounds as Olympians and elite pros.
19:05He has talked about how the styles and resumes of Stevenson and Lopez make it an intriguing bout that could deliver high-level boxing action.
19:12Romero has pointed out that with both men being accomplished fighters with strong offensive and defensive tools,
19:18the matchup has real star power and depth, and he's encouraged fans to expect a competitive, entertaining showdown rather than a one-sided affair.
19:26Do you think this will be a tactical masterclass, a brutal war, or something else entirely?
19:54Comment below.