Teofimo Lopez and Shakur Stevenson both enjoyed a number of successful years working with promoter Bob Arum.
Under the Top Rank banner, Lopez and Stevenson each claimed world honours. Stevenson split with Arum’s company in mid-2024, whilst Lopez, who signed back in 2016, has seen his relationship continue but become increasingly strained.
The two top fighters now prepare to face one another at Madison Square Garden in New York this weekend, with Lopez putting his WBO super-lightweight title on the line against reigning WBC lightweight champion Stevenson, who is bidding to become a four-division world champion.
Having been responsible for many of the duo’s fights, Arum is perhaps better placed than most to offer an expert opinion on the upcoming clash, and he told The Ring what he believes to be the significant factors.
“That’s a terrific fight. That can go either way. I think until somebody shows they’re gonna outsmart Shakur in the ring, it’s hard to pick against him. Teofimo has to be able to outsmart him and outbox him and not just rely on his physical strength. On his best night, he can do that. That’s the phrase you have to remember – it’s not always his best night.
“I think you’re gonna see the best Teofimo available, well trained, at the top of his game. Whether that’s enough to beat Shakur, we’ll have to see.”
While Arum may be non-committal, one man who seemingly does believe that Lopez’s best will be enough to beat Stevenson is UK star Conor Benn, who revealed that he is backing ‘The Takeover’ to pull off the upset.
