Shakur Stevenson Risks Ruin Chasing Teofimo At 140

Many fans on social media believe that Shakur Stevenson is making a mistake going up to 140 to face Teofimo Lopez in early 2026.

Shakur’s lack of size, power, and toughness is why the doubters are picking Lopez (22-1, 13 KOs) to win this bout on January 31, 2026. WBO light welterweight champion Teofimo has proven repeatedly that he can fight in the pocket and go to war with power-punchers.

We haven’t seen Stevenson stand his ground and mix it up with fighters with power since he turned professional in 2017. In the three divisions he’s competed in, he’s only fought one fighter with power, Edwin De Los Santos. In their fight in November 2023, Stevenson (24-0, 11 KOs was on his bike the entire 12-round contest.

Shakur’s post earlier today on social media, saying he won’t be taking part in Thanksgiving because Teofimo predicted he would make him quit, can be interpreted as a signal that he’s starting to suspect he doesn’t have the goods to defeat Teo. When a fighter skips Thanksgiving, that tells you they’re worried.

“No thanksgiving this year for me, Dude said he gone make me quit on the stool or knock me out.. WE WORKING TODAY F*** THAT,” said Shakur on X.

Shakur’s last fight was against the volume puncher, William Zepeda, and he took a lot of punishment from the Mexican warrior. He chose to stand his ground in that fight, and he almost lived to regret it. Shakur’s face was lumpy, his lips reddened, as if they were covered in blood. That was against a non-puncher. Teofimo is a much different animal, and it’s going to be tough for Shakur.

Hopefully, Shakur has thought this thing through and knows what he’s getting himself into on January 31st. Getting beaten by Lopez would be a disaster for Stevenson’s career, as he’s already planning out fights against Conor Benn and Lamont Roach in 2026. Those fights could go bye-bye with a loss to Teo.