If Teo can mentally and physically take himself back to how he fought on that night against Loma, Russell believes he’ll defeat Stevenson.
In none of Lopez’s seven fights since the Lomachenko clash has he fought with that approach. That’s not to say that he hasn’t looked good in those fights. It’s more of a case of him lacking the aggressiveness that he showed against Lomachenko.
Lopez’s loss to George Kambosos Jr. in 2021 seems to have changed him, transforming him into more of a boxer, who only occasionally brawls. Also, not having the size advantage at 140 that he enjoyed at 135 has taken something away from him.
“I’m going with Teo. But Teo can’t fight Shakur’s fight. That’s the only way he’s going to win,” said Gary Antuanne Russell to MillCity Boxing about the fight between Teofimo Lopez and Shakur Stevenson.
Lopez’s form against Lomachenko would be a problem for Shakur, as he would chase him around the ring if he chooses to revert to the style he showed against Edwin De Los Santos in 2023.
Although Shakur does have fast feet, he’s not as quick as the fighters that Teofimo has fought in the last five years. Both Jamaine Ortiz and Lomachenko had quicker feet and more offensive tools than Stevenson.
“If Teo fights like he did against Lomachenko, I got him winning. Other than that, Shakur is going to put him on a rope,” said Antuanne. “He’ll put him on a leash and walk him like a dog. He’s going to time him. He’s going to find his range with him, and he’s going to pick him apart.”
Lopez will have seen what happens to fighters who choose to box Shakur. He’ll know he can’t do that, and will focus on the one approach that has given Stevenson problems. That’s pressure.
“The one thing that nobody can take away from Shakur,” said Russell. “He knows his distance. He’s got good punch selection, and a lot of people underestimate his power. Shakur will take it hands down. I feel that naturally, Shakur’s punching power is lesser than Teofimo Lopez’s.”
Stevenson punches well to the body, but he hasn’t shown power when going upstairs to the head. His 45.83% KO rate is an indication of his lack of pop in his shots. I don’t see that changing overnight to transform him into a retro Julian Jackson.
“IQ wise, I feel like it’s a match. It’s a 50 50 as far as IQ. What puts Teofimo Lopez just above is his athleticism. Shakur is simplistic. By layman’s terms, he’s by the book. If you do the irresponsible thing, he’ll make you pay for it,” said Russell.
Shakur throws single shots with not much speed to them. Interestingly, some fans believe he’s fast, but that’s not the reality. He has average speed. His success in the pro ranks is due to a combination of defense, footwork, and matchmaking.
Shakur’s promoters at Top Rank and Matchroom have never put him in with opposition that would test him and possibly beat him. There are quite a few fighters at 135 and 140 that would have an excellent chance of defeating Stevenson if his promoters chose to throw him in with them. Antuanne is one of them.
