Shakur Stevenson says a win over Teofimo Lopez on Saturday night would place him firmly among boxing’s elite.
The unbeaten three-weight world champion faces Lopez at Madison Square Garden in a fight that has major implications for the sport’s pound-for-pound debate and could make Stevenson a four-division titleholder.
‘You’ve got to put me in the top five if I beat Teo,’ Stevenson told Daily Mail Sport this week. ‘There’s some tremendous fighters there. Since Bud [Terence Crawford] retired, you might even put me top four. So yeah, I deserve it, but the job is not done yet. I’m fully focused on the task, and I can’t wait.’
Stevenson has long divided opinion with a style built on distance control, defence and precision rather than knockouts, but he says criticism comes with the territory.
‘They’re good with what they’re doing. I don’t really have no problem with it,’ he said.
‘Every great fighter is going to be hated. If you watched Floyd Mayweather his entire career, he was hated and now that it’s over, they still hate him. I’ve seen it with Crawford, with a lot of fighters. I’m not new to this game. I appreciate the hate. It keeps me going and keeps me motivated.’
Shakur Stevenson says a win over Teofimo Lopez on Saturday night would place him firmly among boxing’s elite
The unbeaten three-weight world champion faces Lopez (right) at Madison Square Garden in a fight that has major implications for the sport’s pound-for-pound debate
In an era where stoppages are often valued over subtlety, Stevenson said much of the audience no longer understands what he calls ‘the sweet science.’
‘The casuals just want blood,’ he said. ‘But the people who really study the sport, they sit down and watch it, they understand the sweet science is one of the best things to have.
‘And truthfully, when my career is over, I want to be able to have great conversations with my daughter. I want to be able to talk to her and my future kids. It’s about protecting yourself in the ring. Taking punishment is never cool. That’s something I’ll teach all the young fighters coming behind me.’
While his defence is his trademark, Stevenson believes his offence – particularly at close range – is routinely overlooked.
‘I realise it’s so many casuals entering boxing, they’re not really paying attention,’ he said. ‘If I go back and watch my fights, I’m one of the best in-the-pocket fighters in boxing. I can stand right there, make you miss and still beat you.
‘When I hear the narratives, I don’t understand it. Most of my fights are right there in front of guys.’
That confidence is built on obsessive preparation. Stevenson said studying tape remains central to his career, even if he has slightly scaled back.
‘I used to be worse, I used to sit there and watch boxing for so many hours,’ he said. ‘Now I’m not as bad, but I still have to watch, see what I’m doing wrong, see what other fighters are doing, what their best attributes are.
Stevenson has long divided opinion with a style built on distance control, defence and precision rather than knockouts, but he says criticism comes with the territory
In an era where stoppages are often valued over subtlety, Stevenson said much of the audience no longer understands what he calls ‘the sweet science’
‘I like watching fighters like Crawford because he’s similar to me in the boxing aspect. I pick things up from Crawford, Floyd, Pernell, Andre Ward — so many different things.’
Crawford’s presence in Stevenson’s camp has become a subplot to the fight, particularly after Lopez suggested the relationship reflected a lack of independence.
‘He does that because he’s jealous,’ Stevenson said. ‘That’s why this fight is very important, and I’m going to enjoy it. When you’ve got somebody that’s jealous of you and been hating you all these years, it makes it fun to go in there.
‘But Terrence, that’s my big brother. He’s been helping me throughout the years, and I appreciate him. That’s my dog.’
Lopez has said he intends to ‘mentally break’ Stevenson. Stevenson dismissed the idea.
‘I think he’s just trying to tell himself things to big himself up and make himself feel better,’ he said. ‘I think he knows I’m the truth. And if he don’t, he’ll find out on Saturday.’
He was equally dismissive of Lopez’s recent comments about being willing to accept ‘accidental openings’ in the fight.
‘I think he thinks he’s smarter than what he is,’ Stevenson said. ‘He’s not talking about accidental openings. I don’t know what he’s saying. We’ll see where he’s at on fight night.’
Terence Crawford’s presence in Stevenson’s camp has become a subplot to the fight, particularly after Lopez suggested the relationship reflected a lack of independence
Stevenson also accused Lopez of using theatrics to influence judges.
‘If you watch his fights, he’ll get hit with certain shots and then start dancing, trying to be entertaining,’ he said. ‘The judges see that moment like he won the exchange.
‘But with judging and all that, all I’ve got to do is focus on my job. My focus is making sure I do what I’m supposed to do and come out victorious.’
Outside the ring, Stevenson has quietly tried to maintain ties to his hometown. He confirmed he purchased a large block of tickets to bring children from Newark to the fight, something he has done before without publicity.
‘It means everything to me,’ he said. ‘Those kids come from the same circumstances I come from. I’m from the trenches. I’m from dirty Newark.
‘I want them to see it’s possible. I come from the same situation they come from, and look where I’m at. They can do the same. That’s why I get them tickets and put them in those seats – to see somebody from where they’re from doing it.’
On Saturday, Stevenson will attempt to prove that his methodical approach can overcome Lopez’s explosiveness and that greatness, as he defines it, does not have to be loud to be decisive.