Lamont Roach expresses his anticipation for a potential showdown between Shakur Stevenson and WBO light welterweight titleholder Teofimo Lopez, a contest he anticipates won’t present excessive obstacles for Stevenson. Roach suggests that after Stevenson (24-0, 11 KOs) overcomes Lopez, a future clash between him and Stevenson at 135 lbs is on the horizon.
(Credit: Golden Boy)
The reasoning behind this assessment is not fully elaborated upon, despite the emergence of a sparring video indicating Teofimo’s dominance over Stevenson. A notable disparity in power was apparent, with Lopez delivering more forceful blows that seemingly unsettled Stevenson.
Roach’s Prediction
“My belief is that Shakur will defeat Teo. It may pose some challenges. However, I don’t foresee it being overly difficult,” Lamont Roach conveyed to Fighthype, forecasting a Shakur Stevenson victory against Teofimo Lopez, assuming their encounter materializes in 2026. “I anticipate that particular bout occurring at 135 pounds.”
Reasons for Favoring Shakur
Roach’s preference for a Shakur victory against Teofimo is understandable, considering Stevenson’s expressed interest in facing him next. Nevertheless, this desire alone won’t guarantee a win for Shakur.
Stevenson’s performance will be crucial. His showing in the recent match against William Zepeda was underwhelming, absorbing numerous hits and appearing to be knocked down in the third round, though unacknowledged by the referee. The scoring of that fight was remarkably questionable.
Shakur’s Difficulties Against Zepeda
Based on that performance, one might give Teofimo a strong chance of overcoming Shakur, potentially even securing a knockout if Stevenson opts to fight statically with his back to the ropes. However, it’s unlikely that Shakur will engage in a stand-up fight with Lopez due to Lopez’s power, which could lead to a knockdown or knockout.
“I am hopeful that such opportunities arise. I will definitely consider one of those fights to maintain boxing fans’ confidence in the sport,” Roach stated.
A contest between two predominantly defensive fighters isn’t conducive to maintaining the sport’s integrity. A match between Shakur and Roach could lack excitement, given their similar approaches involving backward steps and arm punches.
The fight could resemble a chess match, potentially failing to captivate U.S. boxing fans. While some may appreciate such styles, the majority in states like Texas, California, Nevada, and Arizona prefer action-packed bouts. Both Shakur and Roach are fundamentally boxers. Consequently, a fight between them could prove uneventful.
More Appealing Match-ups for Both
More captivating match-ups that fans might appreciate include Shakur or Roach facing these individuals:
- Gary Antuanne Russell
- Ernesto Mercado
- Abdullah Mason
- Andy Cruz
- Raymond Muratalla
Shakur and Roach could face significant challenges against these fighters. It is difficult to foresee them achieving victory against any of them. They lack significant punching power and might struggle to outbox them.
Jeepers Isaac has been covering boxing since 2020, delivering insightful commentary and current analysis on the most significant events in the sport.
