NEW YORK, NY — Anticipation and hype, two words that describe a mega fight. Boxing has that scenario Saturday evening at Madison Square Garden known as “The Mecca.” Teofimo Lopez who holds a version of the junior welterweight title versus Shakur Stevenson.
Though, Stevenson is moving up in weight for this one, he’s the WBC lightweight champion and looks to spoil the Lopez 140-pound division takeover. The makings of a mega fight, two fighters who have crossed friendly paths and once under the Top Rank promotion banner.
Yes, a mega fight, though boxing skeptics will tune in for the interest, though not attentive as to ramifications of the outcome. Worldwide streaming network DAZN has the pay-per-view rights regardless if you are a subscriber, it’s another price to pay and view two top-10 pound-for-pound best.
Teofimo Lopez and Shakur Stevenson will square off in a mega fight this Saturday at “The World’s Most Famous Arena” Madison Square Garden – Image Credit: Cris Esqueda/Matchroom Boxing
Then again, who pays attention to the best pound-for-pound best? That’s always a debate and some of the best are bypassed. And remember this is boxing the sport of controversy, subjective scoring from fans and “Three Blind Mice” judges at ringside who have a final say if the stoppage does not come via KO or the TKO.
However, boxing purists will look at this as a mega fight. Boxing, of course, hardly gains attention with mainstream media and is lost in the headlines if there is no controversy. This fight does have intrigue, implications, and of course Saturday night could determine where Lopez and Stevenson stand.
Stevenson could become a three-division champion and remain at lightweight to dominate a division he is comfortable with. Or does Lopez continue that takeover quest of another division, once the unified lightweight champion with possible emphasis on taking on WBO welterweight champion Devin Haney?
Friends and not considered adversaries. The exception, though build up towards a mega fight and reaching a crescendo at the final press conference Thursday afternoon at The Garden. Lopez was focused, and determined while showing another side with his element of humor to get under the skin of Stevenson.
Looked at times there would be a press conference brawl at the podium, then again that could have been show-and-tell because there is respect more than adversity with the two. The fight really needs no hype amid boxing fans and realistic media that cover boxing often.
The sport, though, as healthy as it seems with huge amounts of money flashed to fighters, managers, and promoters is troubled. We know the issues of controversial scoring of three blind mice judges at ringside that make it worse, foul mouth fighters that tend to forget it’s promoting the good and not the bad image. Promoters not on the same page, trying to work together to deliver good fights to the fans.
Streaming networks and securing dates with purse bid wars are competitive, and no scrutiny as is with other major sports. Heck, I have always advocated the call for a national boxing commission that could help alleviate the mess. Then again, that’s an old story and will never happen with all the greed around this great sport.
But Teofimo and Shakur have a friendly rivalry. Lopez of Honduran descent from Brooklyn, New York, and Stevenson down the turnpike and representing Newark, New Jersey will result in a rabid and sold out Garden standing on its feet. If everything goes to plan without controversy, the fight lives up to expectations, this can be one for the memory books.
It was a fight week full of action and hype leading up to Saturday’s showdown between Teofimo Lopez and Shakur Stevenson – Image Credit: Cris Esqueda/Matchroom Boxing
Two fighters with charisma, athletic ability, and talent to make that happen. Of course, another mega fight that adds to illustrious battles witnessed over the years at The Garden. The clash was inevitable, discussed, and now it’s here.
Does this fight with two superstars always getting headlines have the aroma of Hagler, Hearns, Leonard, and Durán, the 1980’s era in boxing? Remember that was a different era, boxing then was still strong and streaming networks were never on the radar. The Garden and Las Vegas were home for mega fights. Now the money is in Saudi Arabia with Turki Al-Sheikh, the chairman of the General Entertainment Authority.
He has the money, lots of cash flow and Ring VI at the Garden is his latest. In May of last year in New York, Times Square was a disaster and closed to the public. Lopez stole the show and defended his title with a 12-round unanimous decision over Arnold Barboza Jr.
In his most recent bout last May, Teofimo Lopez put on a show in Times Square, defeating Arnold Barboza Jr., resulting in his 22nd pro-career win – Image Credit: Geoffrey Knott/Matchroom Boxing
The 28-year old Lopez is the underdog, a champion with power and flashes of speed. Stevenson, the undefeated 28-year-old southpaw (25-0, 11 K0’s) is a defensive fighter who has a tendency of throwing a few punches. Two of his last three fights have been snooze fests, but he gets the job done and that’s what matters.
So if they box this could be interesting. If they fight out of the distance, another story and there is the possibility that Lopez (22-1, 13 KO’s) will use his power and this becomes a brawl. Styles make fights, this time that could go out the window.
Shakur Stevenson beat William Zepeda at Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens, NY, last July to move to 25-0 in his pro-career – Image Credit: Cris Esqueda/Golden Boy/Getty Images
Take your pick as both are fighting for superiority, believing they are at the prime of their careers and a win provides major proportions of more stardom.
“This guy (Shakur) is the best and we’re here to face the best,” said Lopez. “There are no friends in boxing.This is what boxing needs. This is why we’re here. We’re here to take over. Now we have this lightweight coming up to super lightweight to come over here and dethrone the champ.”
The intent to dethrone a champ, though both are in divisions that are competitive, There are no losers here and boxing can be the winner. Fight experts see this as a 50/50 pick and early rounds could set the pace.
But the later and championship rounds could be the difference and I expect a 12-round distance. Lopez by split decision and not being partial, just opinion of course.
Rich Mancuso is a senior writer and columnist at LatinoSports.com covering boxing, MLB, and MLS – X:@Ring786, Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso
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