Andre Ward believes the smallest margins could decide one of boxing’s most intriguing potential match-ups between Teofimo Lopez and Shakur Stevenson — and that the difference may only reveal itself once the fight is already unfolding.
Speaking on All The Smoke Fight about the January 31 clash between Lopez and Stevenson, the former two-weight world champion offered a nuanced breakdown of how elite skill, adaptability and decision-making under pressure could shape the outcome, while stopping short of revealing his full hand early.
Ward made it clear that this is no superficial style-versus-style debate. At its core, he sees two fighters entering the ring fully aware of what awaits them.
“I respect them both because Teo knows it’s going to be a real fight. Shakur knows it’s going to be a real fight.”
But from there, Ward drew a telling contrast. In his eyes, Stevenson operates with rare creative freedom once the bell rings.
“I look at Shakur like a fighter who has a blank canvas. He’s got the IQ. He got the experience and the athleticism and the skill set where he can paint any type of picture he wants to on a blank canvas.”
Lopez, by contrast, is viewed as devastating but more structured.
“When I look at Teofimo Lopez, he’s almost that. He has a blank canvas, but he needs an outline on what to draw and what to paint inside the lines.”
Ward acknowledged Lopez’s explosive brilliance, even when it arrives unexpectedly.
“Every now and again, he’ll go away from the outline that he has and he’ll do something dope and you’ll be like, ‘Oh, that was cool.’”
Yet the former pound-for-pound star questioned whether that creativity can be summoned consistently against an elite equal.
“I don’t think that he can create on the fly like a Shakur Stevenson does.”
That is not to say Stevenson has an easy night. Ward stressed that Lopez’s power and athleticism present serious problems.
“What Shakur does have to deal with is explosive power, quick twitch muscles, and the type of punches that he likes to throw.”
Still, Ward believes the key difference lies in adaptation — especially when plans begin to fray.
“I think that’s going to be the difference in this fight is Shakur’s ability to make adjustments and to have a blank canvas and to create something out of thin air and figure it out.”
For Ward, that fleeting pause — the moment it takes to find the next solution — could be decisive.
“And I think just that little bit of time that it takes for him to look at that outline before he starts painting again… I think that’s gonna be the difference in this fight.”
