The Wait Is Over: Teofimo Lopez Answers Shakur Stevenson’s Calls, Sets Up A 2026 Showpiece

Teofimo Lopez replied to Shakur Stevenson today on X, letting him know that he’s “Already accepted the fight” against him and they’ll meet at the start of 2026. Lopez just made the needy Shakur happy today. He’d been waiting for days to hear those words, and he got his wish.

Lopez (22-1,13 KOs) didn’t say which weight class the fight with the unbeaten WBC lightweight champion Shakur (24-0, 11 KOs) will take place at. Teofimo, 27, has the A-side popularity to insist that Stevenson come up to 140 to challenge him for his WBO light welterweight title.

Social Media Skirmishes

The 2016 Olympic silver medalist Shakur has posted four times about Teofimo since last July, urging him to fight him.

• Stevenson initially called out Lopez on July 25th, using the phrase, “Let’s make boxing great again.” Some fans read that as code for, ‘Man, I’m desperate for a paycheck and I got Andy Cruz breathing down my neck at #1 WBC.’
• July 29th, Shakur said this in response to Teofimo posting a sparring clip of him working him over during a session, “Lol that’s an old a** sparring tape let’s make the fight, bro. It’s time to get in that ring for real, I’m excited now u done got me hype!!!”
• August 9th: Stevenson got agitated in response to Teofimo saying he’s going to slap him at a press conference. Shakur said this: “You’re talkin bout smacking me at a press conference, You got it wrong, my boy. You better chill out!”
• August 21st: Shakur posted on X, saying he could fight Lamont Roach next if Teofimo didn’t accept a fight with him. “If Teofimo don’t want the fight I’ll fight [Lamont Roach Jr.] next, either way I’m tryna fight for a belt at 135! .”

I’ve already accepted the fight! I’ll see you the beginning of the year. @ShakurStevenson 🤝 https://t.co/KGGyNHnzUx

— Teofimo Lopez (@TeofimoLopez) August 22, 2025

Teofimo’s Exhibition Plan

Teofimo volunteered yesterday to fight an exhibition on the Jake Paul vs. Gervonta Davis undercard on November 14th on Netflix at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. He tagged Jake’s promotional team, Most Valuable Promotions, and the State Farm Arena. If his offer is accepted, that would be the reason for the delay on the Shakur fight.