Shakur Stevenson’s Frustration Boils Over As Teofimo Lopez Dangles A Fight

Shakur Stevenson revealed his frustration with Teofimo Lopez today on X, telling him to “Stop playing” and “Sign the paperwork” for them to fight.

Lopez’s Cryptic Response

WBO light welterweight champion Teofimo (22-1, 13 KOs) reached out earlier today to the WBC lightweight champ Shakur (24-0, 11 KOs), saying, “What’s up, Gangsta,” with an emoji showing signing for a fight at “140.”

It’s impossible to know if Lopez is serious about wanting to take the fight with Shakur, as he’s posted occasionally, and then gone silent for weeks at a time. DAZN commenator Chris Mannix reported on X last Friday, August 22nd, “There has been no progress in talks for a Teofimo Lopez-Shakur Stevenson fight and Saudi officials are moving on.”

I really agree to the fight with the people that will do the fight, but u need to stop playing wit the fans and acting like u agreed to the fight when u haven’t agreed on shit but on social media.. Reach out to them people and sign the paperwork! @TeofimoLopez

— Shakur Stevenson (@ShakurStevenson) August 25, 2025

What up, Gansta. ✍️ 140 @ShakurStevenson

— Teofimo Lopez (@TeofimoLopez) August 25, 2025

Lil @TeofimoLopez I accept the fight also ✍️

— Shakur Stevenson (@ShakurStevenson) August 25, 2025

Shakur’s Relentless Pursuit

Stevenson isn’t showing signs of giving up, though, and is still posting daily, urging Lopez to make the fight with him. The Matchroom promoted Stevenson, who no longer has the big-money option that he’d hoped for against Gervonta Davis because he’s signed to fight Jake Paul on November 14th at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.

That was the fight that Stevenson and his promoter, Eddie Hearn, had hoped would happen next following Shakur’s 12-round unanimous decision victory over WBC interim 135-lb champion William Zepeda on July 12th.

Stevenson says Lamont Roach is his plan B option if he can’t get the fight against Teofimo. Roach (25-1-2, 10 KOs) has a fight in the works against Gabriel Flores Jr. (27-2, 8 KOs) for later this year.

Andy Cruz, a High-Risk Option

Shakur does have options beyond Roach and Teofimo. The #1-ranked WBC contender, Andy Cruz, would be an ideal choice for Stevenson. He’s not well known, and there would be a lot of risk for Shakur to fight him. Cruz is a 2020 Olympic gold medalist. He defeated Shakur’s close friend, Keyshawn Davis, in the finals of those Olympics.