Teofimo Lopez Calls Out Shakur Stevenson After Latest Win
Teofimo Lopez Calls Out Shakur Stevenson After Latest Win...
Teofimo Lopez reignited his rivalry with Shakur Stevenson on Friday night, calling out the unbeaten champion after defending his WBO junior welterweight title in Las Vegas. The heated exchange has boxing fans buzzing as speculation grows over a potential superfight between the two elite fighters.
Lopez (21-1, 13 KOs) made the challenge immediately after his dominant unanimous decision victory over Arnold Barboza Jr. at the MGM Grand. "Shakur can't hide forever," Lopez told ESPN's Bernardo Osuna in the ring. "I want that pretty boy next."
The comments come just weeks after Stevenson (22-0, 10 KOs) successfully defended his WBC lightweight title against William Zepeda. Boxing analysts note the timing is significant, with both fighters now positioned for a high-profile matchup that could headline a major pay-per-view event later this year.
Promoter Bob Arum told reporters Saturday that Top Rank is "seriously exploring" the potential bout. "These are two of the best young fighters in the world," Arum said. "The fans want to see it, and we're going to try to make it happen."
Social media erupted after Lopez's callout, with #LopezStevenson trending nationwide on X (formerly Twitter). The rivalry dates back to their amateur days, when Stevenson defeated Lopez in the 2016 Olympic trials. Lopez has repeatedly stated he wants to settle the score professionally.
Stevenson responded indirectly during a Saturday morning Instagram Live session, saying "Some guys just can't let go of the past." The Newark native has previously expressed interest in moving up to 140 pounds, where Lopez currently holds a title.
Industry insiders suggest the fight could generate significant revenue, with projections exceeding 500,000 PPV buys. The matchup would pit Lopez's explosive power against Stevenson's technical mastery, creating what many consider a stylistic dream fight.
ESPN's boxing team reports both fighters are tentatively available for a November date. Mandatory defenses and network obligations remain the primary hurdles to finalizing the bout. The Nevada Athletic Commission has already signaled willingness to host the potential showdown in Las Vegas.
This developing story comes during a resurgence in boxing's popularity, with three of the sport's last five major PPV events exceeding expectations. A Lopez-Stevenson clash would continue that momentum while answering longstanding questions about which fighter truly dominates their generation.
