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Matchroom Boxing <\/p>\n
Teofimo Lopez believes he\u2019s ready to become the face of boxing.<\/p>\n
On Saturday, January 31st, Lopez will face off against undefeated Shakur Stevenson at Madison Square Garden for e 140lb super-lightweight division for Lopez\u2019s WBO belt\u2013 live on DAZN PPV.<\/p>\n
We spoke with Lopez recently ahead of the big fight to get his thoughts on the matchup.<\/p>\n
Shakur Stevenson is regarded as one of the best defensive fighters of his generation, how do you crack that code? <\/p>\n
How do we crack that code? We don\u2019t. We just do what we do, and it\u2019ll happen itself. I think that it\u2019s punch placement, punching placement. You got to know where you\u2019re punching at. You got to know what you\u2019re aiming at. And eventually, it\u2019ll all collapse. All of it, all that Shakur is will collapse, man. I look forward to displaying that come fight night. I don\u2019t see Shaqar as what everybody else sees. I\u2019ll tell you the same thing I didn\u2019t see with Josh Taylor, same thing I didn\u2019t see with Lomachenko, Richard Corme. I just don\u2019t see that. I guess I have a different perspective and look into the sport of boxing than others. I can\u2019t wait to show everyone the fraud that he really is.<\/p>\n
You guys got heated with each other during the press conference, what are your thoughts on Shakur as a person? <\/p>\n
I think of him as a young individual trying to make a name for himself and really show everything that he wants to become. And I respect that. I respect as someone that is aiming towards something for sure. I don\u2019t know too much to say outside of the sport. I don\u2019t know the type of person he is outside of the sport, but from what I see in the sport, someone that\u2019s always trying to aim for greatness, someone that\u2019s always trying to become better than what he was in his previous fights. So it will definitely be a great fight overall, one people shouldn\u2019t miss. But nevertheless, I I don\u2019t think he\u2019s the right fit for the sport of boxing when it comes to the baton of holding the light.<\/p>\n
Why do you think you\u2019re the person who should hold the baton of boxing?<\/p>\n
It\u2019s just the way you do it. It\u2019s setting out inspiration, helping the next generation. I don\u2019t get into fights. I don\u2019t have a record, things of that nature. I don\u2019t carry myself in this In this facade of being a thug. I carry myself as just a young individual trying to represent for the betterment for the next kids that I wanted to do this and aiming to become anything they want to be. I think that for myself, it\u2019s really setting a good tone. I think I\u2019ve done well for myself in this short term time of career, and I think now I just want to show a different side of myself.<\/p>\n
Two guys fighting in the prime of their careers, what does this fight mean for boxing?<\/p>\n
This is great for boxing. This is a great job overall for all of us, really. This is going to set a better tone and also let everybody else know you got to make these fights happen. Obviously, we\u2019re hearing\u2026 Because things are always talked in my world, and we\u2019re seeing Vergil Ortiz going at it with his promoter because I guess they want these fights being made between themselves Booth Tennis. So obviously, Shaqar and I are doing a good thing on that part by setting up bigger fights. People want to see fights early, and they want to see them now. And that\u2019s all going to help us for the next people. If you want to You got to be the best. You got to fight the best, you got to fight the best. And sometimes you got to do it early. You can\u2019t wait. I think people don\u2019t want to wait no more. People just want to see great fights happen. And I think it all starts January 31st.<\/p>\n
Terence Crawford will be in Shakur\u2019s corner. What are your thoughts on his retirement?<\/p>\n
He ain\u2019t retired, man. He ain\u2019t retired. He\u2019ll come back, especially after what I do to his little bro. I want you Crawford, 160, 168, I\u2019ll move up. <\/p>\n
Last one: how do you envision this fight going? <\/p>\n
I envision this fight going with no vision, man. I think it\u2019s just going to happen. It\u2019s going to happen in the way it\u2019s going to happen, and it\u2019s already planned to happen. I believe that all this is going to be a good lighting for myself. And Shaqar is a tough young man. He just won\u2019t be come January 31.<\/p>\n
Lopez vs Stevenson will take place at Madison Square Garden and will air live on DAZN PPV as well as DAZN\u2019s Ultimate Tier subscription.<\/p>\n
The wait is almost over. \ud83d\udd25
This Saturday, Teofimo Lopez vs Shakur Stevenson takes over Madison Square Garden at The Ring 6, available live and exclusive worldwide on DAZN PPV.
WBO title on the line.
A four\u2011weight crown within reach.
Two elite fighters. One massive statement\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/PxHGUf3Lc7<\/a><\/p>\n