Lamont Roach Jr announced himself to the super-lightweight division last weekend and will have one eye on Madison Square Garden on January 31 when Teofimo Lopez meets Shakur Stevenson.
Lopez, 22-1 (13 KOs), makes the fourth defence of the WBO super-lightweight title he prised from Josh Taylor in 2023. That masterclass served as a reminder of just how brilliant Lopez can be, but inconsistency has shadowed him for years. Against the three-weight champion Stevenson, 24-0 (11 KOs), he will need to produce his very best.
Roach, who felt robbed after being held to a draw against Isaac Cruz on his 140lbs debut, gave his prediction for next month’s super-fight during an appearance on the Ring Champs Podcast.
“I think Shakur wins, and I don’t think it’s going to be a super tough fight either. His IQ will frustrate him.”
Roach’s verdict prompted the hosts to ask whether he also rated Lopez’s ring IQ, slickness and speed. The former WBA super-featherweight champion replied:
“I think so, but when you look at Teo’s performances against guys that are just pure boxers –– he almost lost to Sandor Martin.”
Lopez was indeed fortunate to edge Martin by split decision in a non-title bout three years ago, a result that reinforced long-standing questions about his consistency and mindset. His defining moment came against Vasiliy Lomachenko in 2020, but a year later he suffered one of the biggest upsets of 2021 against George Kambosos Jr – a fight he was widely expected to win handily, and which Roach referenced.
“He has mental lapses every once in a while. Look at the Kambosos fight. That’s a fight that people would never expect Kambosis to win. And he won a gruelling match against him as well. I don’t think he can get it done against Shakur.”
