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Only Lomachenko-era Teofimo beats Shakur

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Teofimo Lopez lands a right hand on Vasily Lomachenko during their lightweight title fight on October 17, 2020, inside The Bubble at MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Lomachenko Lopez version

It’s not too slow for him to employ the high-pressure style he used against Loma five years ago. This approach will make it challenging for Stevenson to differentiate him with his approach to Mayweather’s striking.

If Teo can mentally and physically return to the form he was in that night against Loma, Russell believes he will beat Stevenson.

He hasn’t fought with this approach in any of Lopez’s seven fights since the fight with Lomachenko. That doesn’t mean he didn’t look good in those fights. It’s more that he lacks the aggressiveness he showed against Lomachenko.

The fight in Kambosos changed Teo

It appears that Lopez’s loss to George Kambosos Jr. in 2021, she changed him, turning him more into a boxer who only gets into fights every now and then. Plus, not having the size 140 advantage he enjoyed at 135 took something away from him.

“I’m going with Teo. But Teo can’t fight Shakur. That’s the only way he’ll win,” Gary told Antuanne Russell MillCity Boxing about the fight between Teofimo Lopez and Shakur Stevenson.

Lopez’s form against Lomachenko would be a problem for Shakur as he would chase him around the ring if he decided to return to the style he showed against Edwin De Los Santos in 2023.

Although Shakur has quick feet, he is not as brisk as the fighters Teofimo has fought over the last five years. Both Jamaine Ortiz and Lomachenko had quicker feet and more offensive tools than Stevenson.

Shakur thrives on distance and control

“If Teo fights like he did against Lomachenko, I will make him win. Besides, Shakur will put him on the rope,” Antuanne said. “She’ll put him on a leash and walk him like a dog. She’ll time him. She’ll find her range with him and tear him to pieces.”

Lopez will see what happens to fighters who decide to box with Shakur. He will know he can’t do that and will focus on the one approach that caused Stevenson’s problems. This is pressure.

Why Shakur’s Power doesn’t scare anyone

“The one thing that no one can take away from Shakur,” Russell said. “He knows his distance. He has good punch selection, and a lot of people underestimate his strength. Shakur will beat him without using his hands. I feel that Shakur’s punching power is naturally lower than Teofimo Lopez’s.”

Stevenson punches well to the body, but didn’t show any strength when punching to the head. His KO rate of 45.83% indicates a lack of pop in his shots. I don’t think it’s going to change overnight and turn him into retro Julian Jackson. Shakur’s power was resistant to change. It doesn’t look realistic that he’s going to make improvements that will allow him to stop Lopez with his shots.

“IQ-wise, I feel like it’s a match. IQ is 50/50. What puts Teofimo Lopez just above is his athleticism. Shakur is a simpleton. In layman’s terms, he sticks to the rules. If you do an irresponsible thing, he’ll pay you for it,” Russell said.

Shakur throws single shots at a ponderous speed. Interestingly, some fans believe that he is brisk, but this is not true. Has average speed. His success in the professional rankings comes from a combination of defense, footwork and matchmaking.

Shakur’s promoters at Top Rank and Matchroom never put him up against an opponent that would test him and possibly beat him. There are plenty of fighters at 135 and 140 pounds who would have an excellent chance to beat Stevenson if his promoters decided to throw him into the fight. Antuanna is one of them.

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Boxing News announces official media partnership with KRONK Boxing Gym – Detroit

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Boxing News Announces Official Media Partnership With KRONK Boxing Gym – Detroit

Boxing News is proud to announce a groundbreaking partnership with KRONK Boxing Gym to bring fans closer to the heritage and heritage represented by both brands.

The history of these two boxing institutions is widely known throughout the sporting community, but now there is an opportunity for them to collaborate on forward-thinking ideas and stories based on nostalgia.

Boxing News magazine first appeared in 1909, with its founder John Murray stating that “boxing would stand for good, immaculate sport.” Since then, the publication has maintained its core principles of integrity, accuracy and independent journalism, maintaining its position as one of the leading voices in sports.

In December 2025, Boxing News released its last weekly issue, after which it became a monthly magazine again, allowing for more in-depth storytelling and longer articles. Additionally, its digital platforms have seen a significant augment in engagement, and on March 5, 2026, Boxing News reported that since January 1, 2026, it has gained 262 million views, 268,000 modern followers and reached 54 million people.

As a result, Boxing News believes it can create a compelling partnership with KRONKevolving into a one-off monthly magazine devoted entirely to the iconic Detroit gym.

Boxing News director Jordan Pollock said:

“KRONK Gym represents the heart and soul of boxing history. Through this partnership, Boxing News is proud to bring millions of fans closer to that legacy than ever before – sharing the iconic photos, untold stories and touching video moments that were created at the most notable gym in the world.”

KRONK Boxing Gym was founded by legendary trainer Emanuel Steward in 1971 and boasts alumni of iconic former world champions including Thomas “Hitman” Hearns, Lennox Lewis, Wladimir Klitschko, Michael Moorer and Gerald McClellan. After two closures since 2006, the gym reopened in a modern location – the Brewster Wheeler Recreation Center at 670 Wilkins Street in Detroit – in December 2025. CEO Paul Bhatti welcomed the partnership with BN.

“Boxing News has been one of the most respected voices in sports for decades, documenting the biggest fights and greatest champions. I am pleased to welcome them as the official media partner of KRONK®. It is a natural fit given our shared history in the sport and our commitment to boxing at every level. We are very excited about this partnership.”

KRONK COO John Lepak added:

“The partnership with Boxing News creates a powerful platform to celebrate our past, present and future. Through this partnership, Boxing News will work with KRONK to amplify the stories, the fighters and the continued revival of the legendary Detroit brand. The next chapter of the KRONK legacy continues.”

As part of the collaboration, Boxing News and KRONK will also share archival content from the gym’s storied past, including uncommon interviews, sparring sessions and training materials that capture fighters, moments and the enduring legacy of the Detroit institution.

Boxing News and KRONK look forward to building a partnership that puts impactful storytelling and retro boxing content at the forefront.

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Dana White says Zuffa Boxing will sign future world champions

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Image: Dana White says Zuffa will sign “everybody” with world-title potential

White made the remark during a press conference following Sunday’s event, where Jai Opetaia defeated Brandon Glanton to become Zuffa Boxing’s first cruiserweight champion.

“I’m going to sign anyone who we think has the potential to be a world champion,” Dana said when asked what players Zuffa plans to recruit.

The comment reflects how Dana wants to build the squad. Rather than develop a immense pool of prospects, Zuffa seems willing to sign established contenders and titleholders from several divisions. White mentioned specific fighters when describing the level of talent the company is pursuing, pointing to lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson and heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk as examples of fighters he considers among the best in the sport.

Zuffa is entering the market with financial backing tied to Saudi Arabia’s investment in major boxing events, which has already generated immense funds for high-profile fights in recent years. This level of funding could allow the organization to compete for players who normally operate under long-term contracts with other organizers.

The approach is reminiscent of the one White used to build the UFC, where the promotion gradually brought many of the sport’s top fighters under one promotional banner. Dana also suggested that Zuffa could enhance the number of events if its roster grows, noting that the company has held four boxing events so far and could eventually host a much larger schedule if it signs more fighters.

For now, White has made his position clear. Zuffa intends to pursue players who are capable of winning world titles and build their squad around them.

The comment was a clear sign of how Dana plans to build the organization’s roster as Zuffa continues to expand its presence in boxing.

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Dana White: Mayweather and Pacquiao event ‘will be a large surprise’

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Dana White: Mayweather and Pacquiao event ‘in for a big surprise’

Dana White has a unique insight into the Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao rematch scheduled for September this year.

The two boxing icons will face each other 11 years after their first meeting, which Mayweather won by unanimous decision, and both are now within 50 points of each other.

Although many fans doubt that the level of action guarantees a lot of excitementthe event headlining the first boxing card at The Sphere in Las Vegas, combined with the nostalgia, may prove to be reason enough to tune in.

Speaking at the Zuffa Boxing 04 post-fight press conference in which Jai Opetaia defeated Brandon Glanton for the promotion’s inaugural cruiserweight title, White was asked if he had any advice for the event at The Sphere.

“Who’s promoting? S**t. I wonder who’s paying for the production. They’re in for a large surprise. It’s incredibly high-priced. I wonder. Someone better call.”

Mayweather-Pacquiao 2 is directed by Manny Pacquiao Promotions with significant support from Netflix.

In September 2024, in a futuristic place, White organized the UFC 306 gala, the main attraction of which was the victory of Merab Dvalishvili over Sean O’Malley in the fight for the world bantamweight title. The “Noche UFC” event, which coincided with Mexico’s Independence Day weekend, was the first live sporting event held at the venue and generated record promotion.

Shortly after the event, said the UFC and Zuffa promoter: :

“When you see what we did at Sphere, it’s like, I don’t know if it’ll ever happen again. We spent over $20 million on it and it was a one-of-a-kind night, it was a fucking amazing night. If my production team doesn’t win every fucking award available in the production, all those awards will be shit.”

This seems to be an appropriate venue for the upcoming rematch, which, although professionally sanctioned, is more about the spectacle than the sporting merits. Few matchups in sports can justify the scale of need. Even in 2026, Mayweather and Pacquiao will fit into this plan.

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