“I’m Cooking Him Next” Vs. Teofimo Lopez

By Elliot Raines: Shakur Stevenson predicted today that he’s going to be “cooking” Teofimo Lopez next in their still unannounced fight in early 2026. He says he wants Lopez (22-1, 13 KOs) to “prove” all the bold talk that he’s been talking for months about their fight.

If that fight gets made, Shakur will move up to 140 to challenge Teofimo (22-1, 13 KOs) for his WBO light welterweight title in what is expected to be shown on DAZN PPV in a headline gig. It would be by far the riskiest fight of the 2016 Olympic silver medalist Stevenson’s career.

“I’m Cooking Him Next”

It’s impossible to predict how Shakur will do because his opposition in the pro ranks hasn’t been stellar up to this point. The fighters Oscar Valdez and Jamel Herring, whom he fought, were older and nearing the end of their careers.

Fans on social media are expressing skepticism about Shakur’s ability to do what he’s talking about, as he was on the move nonstop in his fight against the puncher Edwin De Los Santos on November 16, 2023. That’s the only fighter at 135 that Stevenson has fought with power. His promoters have matched him against exclusively light hitters since against three three:

• William Zepeda
• Josh Padley
• Artem Harutyunyan

I’m cooking him next, Tell him prove that shit to the world he been saying @TeofimoLopez https://t.co/FTyVCqpAt5

— Shakur Stevenson (@ShakurStevenson) November 4, 2025

The way Stevenson fought against his last opponent, William Zepeda, on July 12, 2025, suggests he may struggle against Lopez. He punches too hard, and would feast on a fighter that fights off the ropes that way Stevenson did against the volume puncher Zepeda.

Amateur Habits Still Visible

Using his normal hit-and-not-get-hit style might not be effective against Lopez, because the judges won’t be tolerant of that if they see Teo chasing him around the ring for 12 rounds. Shakur cried after he lost to Cuba’s Robeisy Ramirez in the 2016 Olympics when the judges failed to give him the victory due to the excessive movement that he used.

Promoters Can’t Shield Him Now

In the pros, Stevenson hasn’t changed. He’s still fighting the same way he did in the amateurs, and it hasn’t cost him yet due to the matchmaking that’s been done by his promoters. His ambition to challenge Teofimo could cost him. His promoters can’t protect him in this one.

Elliot Raines has covered British and European boxing since 2010. Known for his sharp pen and low tolerance for hype, Raines dissects the sport’s politics, promoters, and paper champions with dry precision.