Teofimo Lopez Hints “Eventually” At 2026 Shakur Fight

Teofimo Lopez posted one of his classic cryptic updates on social media for his negotiations for a fight with Shakur Stevenson, saying, “Eventually” about when it will happen or be made for 2026. WBO light welterweight champion Teofimo (22-1, 13 KOs) is taking his time with talks to get the right deal against the defensive artist Stevenson (24-0, 11 KOs).

Negotiations Stuck in Neutral for 2026

Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis’s coach, Kenny Ellis, believes that Teofiimo doesn’t want the fight with Shakur. He doesn’t think Lopez will sign the contract. He views it as a fight that Teofimo won’t win.

Shakur’s Strategic Pick at 140

Ellis says he sees Shakur cherry-picking Teofimo because he’s not the best, or even the second-best, in the 140-pound division. He says WBA light welterweight champion Gary Antuanne Russell and WBC champion Subriel Matias are the best. Those two would be a real problem for Shakur, as they apply nonstop pressure coupled with punching power.

Ellis points out that Shakur’s last opponent, William Zepeda, gave him more problems than Teofimo will because he didn’t allow him any breaks to think and set traps. Teo will give Stevenson breaks because he’s not a pressure fighter.

Kenny says that Teofimo Lopez’s 12-round unanimous decision victory over former undisputed light welterweight champion Josh Taylor on June 10, 2023, didn’t make him the #1 fighter at 140. Teo has been using that win as a way to label himself as the best light welterweight fighter. Ellis doesn’t buy that, and neither do other hardcore boxing fans, who view him as a flawed domestic-level 140-pounder.

So, instead of Stevenson choosing those two sharks, he went with the manufactured fighter, created by Top Rank, with the faded Josh Taylor, Steve Claggett, and Pedro Campa. It makes sense. It’s smoke and mirrors with Teofimo, and the vulture-esque Shakur spotted the weakness.

Fans See Through the Matchmaking Game

“Gary Russell, Matias, them guys at 140,” said coach Kenny Ellis to MillCity Boxing about who Shakur Stevenson should be fighting at light welterweight instead of Teofimo Lopez.”No,” said Ellis when asked if he thinks that Shakur is fighting the best 140-pounder in Lopez. “How can Teo be the best 140-pounder when he’s coming up from 135?”

Again, Ellis isn’t the only one who views Shakur’s selection of Teofimo Lopez as a spider-like move. There are a whole bunch of fans who see through this cunning, opportunistic move by Stevenson. The fighters that the fans believe would be a pure nightmare for Shakur at 140 are these guys:

• Subriel Matias
• Keyshawn Davis
• Gary Antuanne Russell
• Ernesto Mercado – *Inexperienced but too much power
• Richardson Hitchins
• Jamaine Ortiz

The Myth of Teofimo’s Josh Taylor Win

“No, because I didn’t look at Josh Taylor as the best 140-pounder,” said Kenny when asked if he doesn’t believe that Teofimo’s win over former undisputed light welterweight champion Josh Taylor in 2023 makes him the #1 fighter at 140.”

Taylor’s three consecutive losses to Teo, Jack Catterall, and Ekow Essuman from 2023 to 2025 showed that he was never as good as fans had seen him. They were fooled by Taylor’s wins over Regis Prograis in 2019 and Jose Ramirez in 2021, believing those victories made him the best.

“I don’t think Teo can beat Shakur. I think Shakur will outbox Teo,” said Ellis. “I don’t think Teo wants to fight Shakur. He ain’t signing no contract. I think [William] Zepeda will give Shakur a better fight than Teo will. Zepeda didn’t give Shakur no breaks. He’ll get a break with Teo.

Eventually 🤷‍♂️

— Teofimo Lopez (@TeofimoLopez) October 28, 2025