Ryan Garcia has emerged with a late prediction for Teofimo Lopez vs Shakur Stevenson, but says that he would not be surprised if there was an upset.
The two Americans will collide at Madison Square Garden, New York, in the small hours of tomorrow morning, with Lopez putting his WBO super-lightweight title up for grabs.
But despite being the defending champion, and the naturally bigger man, ‘The Takeover’ has been made a sizeable underdog against WBC lightweight champion Stevenson.
This is largely because Lopez has blown hot and cold in recent years, with many believing that he was fortunate to claim points victories over Sandor Martin and Jamaine Ortiz.
On the flip side, though, it must be said that the 28-year-old always turns up for the biggest occasions, hence his glittering performances against Vasyl Lomachenko and Josh Taylor in 2020 and 2023, respectively.
It remains to be seen, of course, whether he can produce a moment of magic against Stevenson, who looks to become a four-division world champion this weekend.
The slick southpaw is considered one of this sport’s most elite defensive technicians, rarely allowing himself to get tagged by world-class opponents.
For that reason, it seems, Garcia has told Fight Hub TV that he envisions a Stevenson victory while, at the same time, not completely ruling out the possibility of an upset.
“I would put my money on Shakur, but I won’t be surprised if Teofimo surprises us all. I think I’m underestimating Teofimo a little bit.
“I don’t think he can make the necessary adjustments, to his own style, to combat what Shakur does best, but he could definitely prove me wrong.”
The winner of Lopez-Stevenson could potentially move up to 147lbs and face Garcia, who looks to dethrone WBC world champion Mario Barrios on February 21.
