On January 31, a fight for the WBO super lightweight world title will take place at Madison Square Garden between Teofimo Lopez and Shakur Stevenson. Lopez will put his title on the line against the undefeated three-weight world champion, who will attempt to conquer his fourth division. The fight will be broadcast live on DAZN pay-per-view. Both fighters made their cases to the public at a press conference on Wednesday in New York, where their fight will happen.
While both champions were on stage, Stevenson got into a heated argument with Lopez's father and trainer, Teofimo Lopez Sr.
“Teofimo Lopez brings excitement to the sport every time he enters a fight, he really enters a fight. You know what he is capable of. He's the best when he's the underdog. Just to state my opinion, we have never lost to a southpaw in his entire career, and I'm talking about amateur boxing, over 200 fights. This fight won’t be the first,” stated Teofimo Lopez Sr., listing Vasiliy Lomachenko and Josh Taylor among his biggest wins over southpaws.
“I am not one of them. I think he showed his best against those guys, but I also saw many weaknesses in his technique,” responded Stevenson. “He says Teo has never lost to a southpaw. Well, I have never lost to an orthodox fighter, so there is no difference between us.”
These words provoked a verbal exchange between Stevenson and Lopez Sr.
“The difference is you haven’t fought elite fighters,” replied Lopez Sr.
“I think you too. I haven't seen Lomachenko throw punches for six rounds,” countered Stevenson.
“Because we froze him. And we'll freeze you too.”
Teofimo Lopez Jr., in turn, acknowledged Stevenson, calling him “the best fighter in his career to date.” Stevenson, who is the clear favorite among bookmakers, chose to focus his verbal exchanges on boxing.
“I think he doesn't realize how good I am. I think on fight day he'll see that I've set the bar for him higher than anyone he's ever faced before. If he's expecting this fight to be a repeat of the fight with Josh Taylor or Lomachenko, he's mistaken,” said Stevenson.
Lopez stated he is not fazed by the bookmakers' odds and that his unpredictability will play to his advantage as few can guess what version of him will emerge in the ring on fight day.
“He says a lot. But in truth, this guy is the best, and we are here to fight the best,” said Lopez. “We defy all odds, we stand against everyone who doesn’t give us a chance. To all the bookmakers: make sure you bet on Shakur with high odds. I have many acquaintances who are starving and need to earn well.”
