By Elliot Raines: Shakur Stevenson predicted today that he\u2019s going to be \u201ccooking\u201d Teofimo Lopez next in their still unannounced fight in early 2026. He says he wants Lopez (22-1, 13 KOs) to \u201cprove\u201d all the bold talk that he\u2019s been talking for months about their fight.<\/p>\n
If that fight gets made, Shakur will move up to 140 to challenge Teofimo (22-1, 13 KOs) for his WBO light welterweight title in what is expected to be shown on DAZN<\/a> PPV in a headline gig. It would be by far the riskiest fight of the 2016 Olympic silver medalist Stevenson\u2019s career.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m Cooking Him Next\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019s impossible to predict how Shakur will do because his opposition in the pro ranks hasn\u2019t been stellar up to this point. The fighters Oscar Valdez and Jamel Herring, whom he fought, were older and nearing the end of their careers.<\/p>\n Fans on social media are expressing skepticism about Shakur\u2019s ability to do what he\u2019s talking about, as he was on the move nonstop in his fight against the puncher Edwin De Los Santos on November 16, 2023. That\u2019s the only fighter at 135 that Stevenson has fought with power. His promoters have matched him against exclusively light hitters since against three three:<\/p>\n William Zepeda I\u2019m cooking him next, Tell him prove that shit to the world he been saying @TeofimoLopez<\/a> https:\/\/t.co\/FTyVCqpAt5<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Shakur Stevenson (@ShakurStevenson) November 4, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n The way Stevenson fought against his last opponent, William Zepeda, on July 12, 2025, suggests he may struggle against Lopez. He punches too hard, and would feast on a fighter that fights off the ropes that way Stevenson did against the volume puncher Zepeda.<\/p>\n Amateur Habits Still Visible<\/p>\n Using his normal hit-and-not-get-hit style might not be effective against Lopez, because the judges won\u2019t be tolerant of that if they see Teo chasing him around the ring for 12 rounds. Shakur cried after he lost to Cuba\u2019s Robeisy Ramirez in the 2016 Olympics when the judges failed to give him the victory due to the excessive movement that he used.<\/p>\n Promoters Can\u2019t Shield Him Now<\/p>\n In the pros, Stevenson hasn\u2019t changed. He\u2019s still fighting the same way he did in the amateurs, and it hasn\u2019t cost him yet due to the matchmaking that\u2019s been done by his promoters. His ambition to challenge Teofimo could cost him. His promoters can\u2019t protect him in this one.<\/p>\n Elliot Raines has covered British and European boxing since 2010. Known for his sharp pen and low tolerance for hype, Raines dissects the sport\u2019s politics, promoters, and paper champions with dry precision.<\/p>\n Boxing News 24<\/a> \u00bb – An Analyst’s Perspective<\/a> \u00bb \u201cI\u2019m Cooking Him Next\u201d: Shakur Stevenson Fires Shot at Teofimo Lopez Ahead of 2026 Fight<\/p>\n Last Updated on 11\/04\/2025 \t<\/p>\n
\nJosh Padley
\nArtem Harutyunyan<\/p>\n