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Lopez calls Stevenson “Roadrunner” ahead of the Jan. 31 fight

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Image: Teofimo Lopez calls Shakur Stevenson “the Roadrunner” ahead of Jan. 31 fight

Lopez described a fighter who craves space and rhythm. Someone who looks their best when everything remains immaculate and controlled. He made it clear that he had no interest in continuing the fight this way and mentioned that he should stay close enough that Stevenson could not decide when and how words would be exchanged.

He kept coming back to the same idea. Stay on it. Crowd him. Let him work every second.

You can’t just drift off when you’re headlining a pay per view. People didn’t buy it to watch a twelve-round game of tag. They are paying to see how Stevenson will perform when the pressure comes on and he is forced to withdraw.

People have been knocking Shakur the same way for years. It comes back every time someone doesn’t want to give it air and forces it to fight internally.

Lopez also doesn’t buy the idea that Stevenson is taking a huge risk by moving up to 140 pounds. For him, lightweight is still waiting. If that doesn’t work, Stevenson will be able to return to something familiar and maintain his balance while still having the WBC belt around his waist.

“You chose me. I didn’t choose you,” Lopez said in the video. “We’ll send you back to lightweight. You still have the WBC belt. Everything will be fine.”

He then reached back to their amateur days together, recalling a 2016 sparring session in Miami when both fighters were still teenagers. Lopez said he was landing freely until Stevenson interrupted the session.

“I got the best out of him,” Lopez said. “Why do you think he said, ‘Stop’? He said, “Stop recording.”

How much weight a ten-year-old session has today is up for debate. Both players are completely different people. What’s more vital is the attitude Lopez shows in this fight.

Teo gives chase, planning to live on Shakur’s chest and strangle him. The idea is to make it messy and exhausting, forcing Stevenson to struggle when he has nowhere to drift.

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Jai Opetaia defeats Brandon Glanton over 12 rounds in Vegas

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Image: Opetaia Defeats Brandon ‘Bulletproof’ Glanton

In the fifth round, Opetai’s right uppercut to the head again hurt Glanton in the final minute. In the sixth round, Opetaia continued his body attack and took another round, while Glanton lost a point for holding. In the last minute of the seventh round, both fighters exchanged blows. In the eighth round, Glanton landed several low blows and lost a point from referee Allen Huggins.

In the ninth round, both fighters had their moments. Opetaia continued to work the body as Glanton ended the round with a punch to the chin. In the tenth round, Opetaia landed a right uppercut to Glanton’s body. Just when it looked like Glanton might be ready to attack, he counterattacked and landed straight into Opetai’s body.

In the eleventh round, Opetaia lost a point for holding. In the twelfth and final round, the action was still competitive at the bell.

All three judges scored the fight 119-106.

Retains Saracho Rooms

Ricardo Adan Salas stopped Jesus “Junior” Saracho at 2:05 of the eighth round of a scheduled 10-round fight.

In the first round, Salas’ last-minute shot shocked Saracho. In the second round, both had their moments in a close round. In the third round, Salas landed a pair of rights to Saracho’s chin in the final seconds and won the round.

In the last 30 seconds of the fourth round, Saracho landed a combination to the chin, but in the final seconds Salas responded with a quick attack and took the round. In the fifth round, Salas landed a right uppercut to the body that hurt Saracho midway through the round. In the last seconds, Salas landed several punches again and won the round.

In the sixth round, Salas landed a left hook to the body that hurt Saracho in the first minute, although Saracho fought well for the rest of the round. In the seventh round, Salas landed a right uppercut to the chin that hurt Saracho, and the two exchanged punches midway through the round. Salas finished the round stronger, working his body well.

In the eighth round, Salas hurt Saracho with several body blows as the referee looked ready to step in. Salas landed to the body again, hurting Saracho and forcing referee Robert Hoyle to stop the fight.

Panin stops the group

Vlad “Super Bad” Panin stopped Shinard Bunch at 2:29 of the ninth round of a scheduled 10-round fight.

It was a one-sided fight lasting eight rounds, with Panin dominating. In the ninth round, Panin landed a series of punches, forcing referee Allen Huggins to stop.

Palma defeats Rubio

Adan Palma won a split decision over Pablo “Shark” Rubio Jr. over eight innings after scoring two knockdowns.

In the third round, Palma’s left hook knocked down Rubio for eight. Moments later, Palma dropped Rubio again, landing another right to the chin. In the fourth round, Rubio fought back, although Palma’s left hook was still effective.

In the fifth round, Palma landed a pair of left hooks to the chin. Rubio responded with a combination at the bell in the close round. In the sixth round, Rubio landed several unanswered punches mid-round to even the fight.

In the eighth and final round, Rubio rallied strongly.

The scores were 76-74 for Rubio and 78-77 for Palma twice.

Juarez wins by decision

Joshua Jay Juarez defeated Jardae Anderson in eight rounds.

Juarez used his attacking style to put pressure on Anderson while also scoring points with his hand speed and power shots. The pace slowed in the second half of the fight until the final ten seconds when both fighters exchanged.

The scores were 77-75, 79-73 and 78-74.

Ramos and Perez draw

Jaycob Ramos fought Ethan Perez for most of six rounds.

Both fighters hit the canvas during the fight. In the second round, Perez dropped Ramos with a left hand for an eight count. Ramos managed to survive until the bell.

In the third round, Ramos returned the favor, dropping Perez with a right hand to get the count back to eight.

The scores were 57-55 Ramos and 56-56 twice.

Ochoa and Serrano tied

Brady Ochoa fought six rounds against Adrian Serrano to a majority draw.

The competitors fought for six rounds of competition.

The scores were 58-56 Ochoa and 57-57 twice.

Alvarado wins by decision

Emiliano Alvarado defeated Eric Rosado in six rounds.

After losing the opening round, Alvarado dropped Rosado in the second round and controlled the remainder of the fight.

All scores were 59-55.

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Boxing

Shakur Stevenson only sees one winner in Canelo vs. David Benavidez: ‘I’m a fan’

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Shakur Stevenson sees only one winner in Canelo vs David Benavidez: “I’m a fan”

Shakur Stevenson gave a balanced assessment of why the fight between Canelo Alvarez and David Benavidez has not yet taken place.

Both multi-weight world champions seemed to be on a collision course at 168 pounds, with Canelo reigning as the undisputed king.

Meanwhile, Benavidez held the “interim” WBC title after becoming a two-time super middleweight world champion and awaited his mandatory shot at the full WBC title.

This opportunity, however, never materialized as Canelo continued to defend his undisputed crown against alternative opposition.

During that time, the Mexican had one-sided points victories over the likes of John Ryder and Jermell Charlo, but was widely criticized for failing to face his most formidable rival, Benavidez.

Benavidez has since won the WBC 175-pound title and now looks set to become a three-weight world champion against Gilberto Ramirez, whom he will face on May 2 for the WBO and WBA cruiserweight titles.

This may seem like a bold move, but the 29-year-old’s physique will enable him to develop into an effective 200-pound operator, while Canelo is clearly best suited at 168 pounds.

The natural size difference therefore made their clash even less likely, as Stevenson points out Joe Rogan that in his opinion this is the most significant factor.

“Benavidez is too large for Canelo. I see both sides. I love Benavidez and I’m a fan of his, so I see the ‘fight me, brother’ side.”

“But then I see Canelo’s attitude. He’s like, ‘Man, this guy regularly weighs 200 pounds. I don’t get anywhere near that weight, so I ask myself, ‘Why would I fight this guy?'”

Despite a unanimous decision loss to Terence Crawford, Canelo was promised a shot at the world championship by Turki Alalshikh in Riyad, Saudi Arabia in September this year.

Potential options include Christian Mbilli and Jose Armando Resendiz, the respective WBC and WBA champions, while the IBF and WBO super middleweight world titles remain vacant following Crawford’s retirement.

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Boxing

Eddie Hearn clarifies Turkie’s shoe shine comment

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Image: Eddie Hearn explains remark about cleaning Turki Alalshikh’s shoes

“If you ask me to immaculate your shoes, I will immaculate them,” Hearn told The Stomping Ground. “But basically the reference was that I said I wasn’t too proud to know my position and the opportunities open to me.”

Over the past two years, Saudi Arabia has financed a series of major boxing events, combining several championship fights that had been stalled in customary negotiations. Matchroom-promoted fighters have appeared on a number of Riyad’s season cards during this period, including major title fights and heavyweight events featuring some of the sport’s most recognizable names.

Hearn said his approach has always been elementary. When an opportunity arises that will benefit the players and the company, the priority is to take advantage of it rather than worrying about what the moment will look like in public.

“My senior man says if you walk past a fivepence coin on the floor you’ll pick it up,” Hearn said. “If a great opportunity comes along, we make money and I enjoy it, no problem.”

Hearn added that he expects to continue working with Turki on future boxing events, despite the occasional public exchange. Several promoters now partner with Saudi-backed events, and financing has become a regular feature of the sport’s biggest fight negotiations.

“I think he enjoys working with us,” Hearn said. “He will always do what suits him and we will continue to do what suits us and our players.”

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