Terence Crawford has weighed in on the fast-approaching showdown between Shakur Stevenson and Teofimo Lopez, placing a $10,000 bet on his prediction.
The two Americans will square off for Lopez’s WBO world super-lightweight title on January 31, with many viewing their fight at Madison Square Garden, New York, as a 50/50 matchup.
Bidding to become a four-division world champion is Stevenson, who retained his WBC lightweight title with a comprehensive points victory over William Zepeda in July.
Previous performances saw the southpaw claim notable wins over the likes of Oscar Valdez and Jamel Herring at 130lbs, with the unbeaten slickster having never come close to losing a professional contest.
In this particular fight against Lopez, though, many feel that the naturally bigger, and perhaps more athletic, man could ultimately emerge triumphant.
Sure enough, ‘The Takeover’ has proven to be no slouch when it comes to the big occasions, particularly when considering his victories over Vasyl Lomachenko and Josh Taylor.
A lack of such form in the less high-profile fights, however, has seen him turn in sub-par performances against the likes of Jamaine Ortiz, Sandor Martin and Steve Claggett in recent years.
But despite that, many will point to his latest victory over Arnold Barboza Jr, which saw Lopez produce one of his more impressive displays, and suggest that he is capable of solving the Stevenson puzzle later this month.
One of those who anticipates a Lopez masterclass is popular streamer Adin Ross, who entertained a $10,000 wager with Crawford during one of his live streams.
Crawford, on the other hand, insisted that Stevenson is the man to put on a boxing clinic.
“Teo’s good at what he do but he’s getting washed”
Fans only have weeks to wait to find out.
