SHAKUR STEVENSON has rejected Teofimo Lopez’s attempt to suggest that their showdown is a done deal, insisting that his rival is yet to sign on the dotted line.
The WBC world lightweight champion took to social media on Thursday, effectively revealing that his next outing, which is slated for early next year, could either be against Lopez, 22-1 (13 KOs), or Lamont Roach Jr.
But now, it would seem that Roach has emerged as the far more likely option, while Lopez, on the other hand, appears to be dragging his heels.
As talks chug along behind the scenes, the fact remains that Stevenson, 24-0 (11 KOs), who comes off a glittering performance against William Zepeda, looks to land himself another meaningful fight at the beginning of 2026.
Sure enough, a clash with Roach, who still holds the WBA strap at 130lbs, would provide Stevenson with exactly that, particularly when considering the 30-year-old’s titanic effort against Gervonta Davis earlier this year.
Yet Roach, whose rematch with Davis was supposed to take place this month, is nonetheless expected to return to action before this year comes to a close.
That leaves Lopez, then, as an alternative opponent, though it would appear that the WBO world super-lightweight champion, despite his activity on social media, remains an elusive target outside of the ring.
“I’ve already accepted the fight! I’ll see you [Stevenson at] the beginning of the year,” Lopez wrote on X yesterday.
In response, Stevenson said: “Don’t be on here saving face, I ain’t heard nun bout [you] accepting the fight yet lil dude.”
Should it come to fruition, a clash with ‘The Takeover’ would provide Stevenson with an opportunity to become a four-division world champion.
Boxing journalist Chris Mannix, though, claims that their matchup, which seemingly captured the interest of Turki Alalshikh – even if just for a short while – is almost dead in the water.
On X, Mannix said: “There has been no progress in talks for a Teofimo Lopez-Shakur Stevenson fight and Saudi officials are moving on, sources told [Sports Illustrated].
“There has been frustration with Lopez throughout the process, I’m told. The focus has shifted to finding another opponent for Stevenson, [with] Lamont Roach a leading candidate.”
