Robert Garcia has offered his expert opinion on the expected showdown between Teofimo Lopez and Shakur Stevenson, which is reportedly set to take place early next year.
Their proposed super-lightweight matchup has been spoken about for quite some time – since August, in fact – but only now does it appear likely to materialise, at a venue that is yet to be revealed, on January 31.
Despite failing to impress in his previous two title defences, Lopez produced a measured performance to convincingly outpoint Arnold Barboza Jr in May.
It was easily his most captivating display since the Josh Taylor fight in 2023, back when he became a two-division world champion after dethroning then-lightweight king Vasyl Lomachenko nearly three years earlier.
As for Stevenson, a mandatory defence of his WBC lightweight title saw the crafty southpaw secure a unanimous decision victory over William Zepeda in July.
Prior to that, the Newark man’s most notable wins arguably came against Oscar Valdez and Jamel Herring, both down at super-featherweight, though he now looks to become a four-division world champion in 2026.
Naturally, elite coach Garcia, who trains the likes of Vergil Ortiz Jr and Jesse Rodriguez, was asked to share his thoughts on the matchup between Stevenson and Lopez.
And despite revealing to ESNEWS that he is siding with Lopez, Garcia equally admitted that he feels Stevenson is the better fighter.
“I pick Teofimo. I like Teofimo – that’s why. Because I like him. Shakur’s good too but, with Teofimo and his dad, I get along with them very well.
“I hate to go against him [Stevenson], because he’s probably better, but I just like Teofimo’s heart, his mentality – he’s a true warrior.”
Garcia isn’t the only one to make a prediction for the fight, with Hall of Fame inductee Tim Bradley also offering a bold take.
