Shakur Stevenson has shunned a move up to welterweight this year, but one man who could be able tempt him up to 147lbs is legendary eight-division world champion, Manny Pacquiao. Now, former opponent, Teofimo Lopez, has offered his thoughts on a potential fight between the pair.
Pacquiao was being linked to a professional rematch with Floyd Mayweather and then a surprise shot at Liam Paro’s IBF welterweight world title, where a win would have seen ‘Pac Man’ break his own record as the oldest 147lb champion of all time.
However, it seems as though both of those opportunities are no longer available, with Mayweather tied up in legal issues and Paro moving on to a potential unification with Devin Haney or an all-Australian bout with George Kambosos Jnr.
As a result, with both Stevenson and Pacquiao currently looking for an opponent, rumours have began to emerge suggesting that the two could collide.
When asked about the match-up by Ariel Helwani, Lopez stated that he believes Pacquiao still ‘has enough in the tank to give Stevenson a good fight’.
“[That is] not bad, no. Two southpaws. Manny looked great when he fought [Mario] Barrios. I believe that he should have won that. It should have been Ryan [Garcia] vs. Manny Pacquiao for the WBC [title].
“It’s a great technical fight, I think that Pacquiao still has enough in the tank to give him a tough fight, if that’s the case and they do meet in the ring.”
Stevenson has recently signed with Zuffa Boxing and has also been mentioned for a clash with fellow super-lightweight world champion, Gary Antuanne Russell, in recent weeks.
