Teofimo Lopez posted one of his classic cryptic updates on social media for his negotiations for a fight with Shakur Stevenson, saying, \u201cEventually\u201d about when it will happen or be made for 2026. WBO light welterweight champion Teofimo (22-1, 13 KOs) is taking his time with talks to get the right deal against the defensive artist Stevenson (24-0, 11 KOs).<\/p>\n
Negotiations Stuck in Neutral for 2026<\/p>\n
Gervonta \u2018Tank\u2019 Davis\u2019s coach, Kenny Ellis, believes that Teofiimo doesn\u2019t want the fight with Shakur. He doesn\u2019t think Lopez will sign the contract. He views it as a fight that Teofimo won\u2019t win.<\/p>\n
Shakur\u2019s Strategic Pick at 140<\/p>\n
Ellis says he sees Shakur cherry-picking Teofimo because he\u2019s not the best, or even the second-best, in the 140-pound division. He says WBA light welterweight champion Gary Antuanne Russell and WBC champion Subriel Matias are the best. Those two would be a real problem for Shakur, as they apply nonstop pressure coupled with punching power.<\/p>\n
Ellis points out that Shakur\u2019s last opponent, William Zepeda, gave him more problems than Teofimo will because he didn\u2019t allow him any breaks to think and set traps. Teo will give Stevenson breaks because he\u2019s not a pressure fighter.<\/p>\n
Kenny says that Teofimo Lopez\u2019s 12-round unanimous decision victory over former undisputed light welterweight champion Josh Taylor on June 10, 2023, didn\u2019t make him the #1 fighter at 140. Teo has been using that win as a way to label himself as the best light welterweight fighter. Ellis doesn\u2019t buy that, and neither do other hardcore boxing fans, who view him as a flawed domestic-level 140-pounder.<\/p>\n
So, instead of Stevenson choosing those two sharks, he went with the manufactured fighter, created by Top Rank, with the faded Josh Taylor, Steve Claggett, and Pedro Campa. It makes sense. It\u2019s smoke and mirrors with Teofimo, and the vulture-esque Shakur spotted the weakness.<\/p>\n
Fans See Through the Matchmaking Game<\/p>\n
\u201cGary Russell, Matias, them guys at 140,\u201d said coach Kenny Ellis to MillCity Boxing<\/a> about who Shakur Stevenson should be fighting at light welterweight instead of Teofimo Lopez.\u201dNo,\u201d said Ellis when asked if he thinks that Shakur is fighting the best 140-pounder in Lopez. \u201cHow can Teo be the best 140-pounder when he\u2019s coming up from 135?\u201d<\/p>\n Again, Ellis isn\u2019t the only one who views Shakur\u2019s selection of Teofimo Lopez as a spider-like move. There are a whole bunch of fans who see through this cunning, opportunistic move by Stevenson. The fighters that the fans believe would be a pure nightmare for Shakur at 140 are these guys:<\/p>\n Subriel Matias The Myth of Teofimo\u2019s Josh Taylor Win<\/p>\n \u201cNo, because I didn\u2019t look at Josh Taylor as the best 140-pounder,\u201d said Kenny when asked if he doesn\u2019t believe that Teofimo\u2019s win over former undisputed light welterweight champion Josh Taylor in 2023 makes him the #1 fighter at 140.\u201d<\/p>\n Taylor\u2019s three consecutive losses to Teo, Jack Catterall, and Ekow Essuman from 2023 to 2025 showed that he was never as good as fans had seen him. They were fooled by Taylor\u2019s wins over Regis Prograis in 2019 and Jose Ramirez in 2021, believing those victories made him the best.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think Teo can beat Shakur. I think Shakur will outbox Teo,\u201d said Ellis. \u201cI don\u2019t think Teo wants to fight Shakur. He ain\u2019t signing no contract. I think [William] Zepeda will give Shakur a better fight than Teo will. Zepeda didn\u2019t give Shakur no breaks. He\u2019ll get a break with Teo.<\/p>\n Eventually \ud83e\udd37\u200d\u2642\ufe0f<\/p>\n \u2014 Teofimo Lopez (@TeofimoLopez) October 28, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Tom Galm has covered the global boxing scene since 2014, specializing in heavyweight analysis, business trends, and fighter psychology.<\/p>\n Boxing News 24<\/a> \u00bb – An Analyst’s Perspective<\/a> \u00bb \u201cEventually\u201d: Teofimo Lopez Teases 2026 Fight With Shakur Stevenson as Talks Drag and Doubts Mount<\/p>\n Last Updated on 10\/28\/2025 \t<\/p>\n
\nKeyshawn Davis
\nGary Antuanne Russell
\nErnesto Mercado \u2013 *Inexperienced but too much power
\nRichardson Hitchins
\nJamaine Ortiz<\/p>\n