Shakur Stevenson said today on social that \u201cwhen\u201d he defeats WBO light welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez to capture his fourth division world title in a division not his \u201creal weight class,\u201d he wants to know what people are going to \u201csay then?\u201d<\/p>\n
(Credit: Golden Boy)<\/p>\n
A Proclamation of Superiority<\/p>\n
In other words, Shakur (24-0, 11 KOs) is proclaiming himself as superior to Teofimo (22-1, 13 KOs). By talking as if it\u2019s inevitable that he\u2019s going to defeat Lopez to become a four-division world champion and Ring Magazine champion, he\u2019s placing himself as the A-side going into the still yet to be signed match.<\/p>\n
Setting the Trap for Teo<\/p>\n
With that troll-like post, he\u2019s forcing Teofimo to fire back at him. When he does, it\u2019ll show Stevenson that his post has worked in getting into his mind and upsetting him. If Lopez says nothing, it would indicate that he\u2019s indifferent, unaffected, and mentally strong.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s not even my real weight class,\u201d said Shakur about him fighting Teofimo at 140.<\/p>\n
A Built-in Escape Route<\/p>\n
What Shakur is doing with this comment is setting the stage for using it as a built-in excuse in case he loses to Lopez. If he\u2019s beaten, he can tell his fans that he was fighting outside of his weight class at 140, trying to be great.<\/p>\n
So when I beat Teo and become 4 weight world champion and Ring Magazine champion at 140 and that\u2019s not even my real weight class what yall gone say then? \ud83d\ude08<\/p>\n