Boxing
Shakur Stevenson steps into greatness with a victory over Teofimo Lopez
Published
8 months agoon
Eric Bottjer
Shakur Stevenson knocked on the cubicle-sized door – quite loudly – and moved inside. He is currently renting a club. A few more performances, like Saturday’s fight against opponents of Teofimo Lopez’s caliber, will make him an owner in this area.
The 2020s are the golden era of boxing. Tyson Fury is an all-time great heavyweight fighter. The man who beat him twice is arguably the greatest cruiserweight of all time (can you imagine Oleksandr Usyk vs. Evander Holyfield in the overdue 1980s?). Japan’s Naoya Inoue is arguably the greatest bantamweight to ever walk the earth. Terence Crawford could compete with any welterweight in history. Canelo Alvarez, even though he was in the red, was in the top 10 middleweight five years ago. Like ever in the top 10.
You can – and should – put these five fighters on any list of the 10 greatest boxers of all time (in their respective weight classes). Shakur isn’t here yet. But if he stays focused and fights against the best competition, it will happen. It’s pure pleasure to watch a 21st century athlete operate 20th century boxing skills. It’s worth watching the “boxer” stay in the pocket and beat the “puncher” to see it happen (pay-per-view money in my case – the weather was too cool for my bones in Florida).
I’m betting on Lopez. Not because I thought he would win (I didn’t), but because the +240 odds for him to win didn’t reflect the talent gap. There was no talent gap, at least physically. Lopez has legitimate power and was certainly the hardest hit Shakur has faced – in his life. Lopez also has world-class speed.
I didn’t ignore the talent gap when it came to boxing IQ. I knew Shakur was taller. I also knew that Shakur had a definite advantage in his camp and corner (head coach). But I couldn’t get past Lopez’s path to victory, which seemed quite uncomplicated to me (though also very challenging to execute): you force Shakur to do what he doesn’t feel comfortable doing. You force him to fight when he doesn’t want to. This is a strategy that a wise coach considers against EVERY opponent.
I imagined Lopez forcing Shakur back and, more importantly, taking away his jab (not literally taking away the punch itself – taking away his advantage in that regard).
Elementary step one: move it back. Lopez tried this at first. He tried it with a jab. Each time, Shakur simply took a step back, each time observing his opponent, each time measuring the distance, and each time measuring any differences in that distance. This is what great warriors do.
A great opponent would see the folly of continuing this failed strategy and recalibrating. You still want to move your man back. You know that when you step forward with one foot, he will take a step back. Therefore, when you take a step forward, you KNOW he will take a step back. You don’t have to throw punches to achieve this. You just take a step, knowing, at least initially, that you’re not in any danger because at that point Shakur isn’t punching when you moved forward earlier. You know you can move him at least a step back without punching or being punched. And you can deceive him with your head, arms, and arm movements. Damn it, your eyes. That’s what great warriors do.
Lopez is not a great fighter, he is just a great talent. He couldn’t make Shakur trade, make him feel uncomfortable, make him feel any danger, because he couldn’t even do the uncomplicated task of moving his man when he wanted to move him. Shakur didn’t need a plan B. Because Lopez didn’t have a plan A.
I won’t go into the instructions Teo heard in the corner. The polite conclusion is that Lopez needs a fresh coach. Instead, let’s be positive and honor Wali Moses, Shakur’s grandfather, who was a high-class cornerback: composed, competent and inspiring confidence in his fighter.
Who will be next for Shakur. Probably Ryan Garcia if Ryan gets rid of Mario Barrios later this month. But FIGHT for Shakur is impossible right now.
Gervonta “Tank” Davis, like Shakur, knocked on the door to greatness, entered (knocking out Ryan Garcia and Rolly Romero and defeating Isaac Cruz), but evicted himself.
Tank life is a wreck. If he were to seek solace in the only place he has control (in the ring), he is still undefeated, even though he is 31 years aged, in great shape and his skills are extraordinary. He also brings a real trainer to the dance and, like Shakur, sells tickets.
Tank Davis vs. Ryan Garcia and Shakur Stevenson vs. Teofimo Lopez are fights worth watching on pay-per-view. Shakur vs. Tank is a great fight. And there is money for it. Let’s hope someone helps Tank outside the ring so that when he returns he can show us the answer everyone is asking right now: Can anyone beat Shakur Stevenson?
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Boxing
Joshua vs Fury Confirmed for December 11 in Cardiff on Netflix
Published
4 hours agoon
September 24, 2026
Principality Stadium secures the British heavyweight fight, with a London press conference next week and the undercard to follow.
Anthony Joshua (30-4, 27 KOs) and Tyson Fury (36-2-1, 25 KOs) will fight at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on Friday, December 11. Netflix will broadcast the full event exclusively after organizers secured a British venue for the heavyweights’ first professional meeting.
Turki Alalshikh announced the fight, and Joshua and Fury are scheduled to attend a London press conference next week. The supporting card will be announced later; no undercard opponents were named in the supplied announcement.
The December date replaces the November plan discussed earlier in negotiations. Wembley had been Joshua’s preferred destination, but Cardiff secured the event following talks over whether the fight would remain in Britain or move to the United States.
Joshua and promoter Eddie Hearn insisted on a UK venue. His contract included that requirement, and their position held despite discussions involving New York, Las Vegas and Los Angeles.
Dana White said: “For more than a decade, boxing fans have been clamoring for the heavyweight showdown between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. Together, they bring 66 wins, 52 knockouts and multiple heavyweight world titles into the ring. On December 11, two of the biggest heavyweights of this generation finally collide and the winner will take a significant place in heavyweight history.”
Netflix to broadcast the full Cardiff card
Netflix’s preference for an evening American broadcast drove the push to stage the fight across the Atlantic. Madison Square Garden emerged as the leading US option before negotiations returned to Britain.
Cardiff keeps the contest on British soil, with a late opening bell expected to accommodate viewers in the United States.
The main event is expected around 1 a.m. UK timealthough the exact time has not been confirmed. If that schedule holds. A 1 a.m. GMT start would put the main event at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, December 11 for viewers on America’s east coast.
The fight is expected to take place beneath Principality Stadium’s retractable roof.
London press conference scheduled for next week
Alalshikh welcomed the agreement after months of negotiations over the event.
“Two of the best heavyweights of this generation, finally in the ring together. This will be one of the biggest fights in boxing history, I am very happy to make this fight happen for the fans,” he said.
Joshua and Fury previously signed a two-fight agreement in 2021. That booking collapsed after an arbitration ruling required Fury to face Deontay Wilder again.
Their December meeting now has a confirmed date, venue and broadcaster. Next week’s press conference will bring both fighters to London, with the remaining card and precise event timetable still to follow.

About the author
Boxing 24/7 Wire
Boxing247.com is an independent boxing news publication covering the sport since 2001. It provides original reporting, fight analysis, schedules, results, and informed coverage of major fighters and events worldwide, backed by more than 25 years of professional boxing journalism.
Boxing
Manny Pacquiao and Shakur Stevenson Discuss Potential Fight in Cardiff
Published
9 hours agoon
September 24, 2026
Manny Pacquiao against Shakur Stevenson remains under discussion for the proposed Anthony Joshua-Tyson Fury card in Cardiff. It would give the event a second major fight, but neither Pacquiao nor Stevenson has received a bout agreement.
BoxingScene’s Lance Pugmire reports that two people connected to the talks say Netflix wants the matchup as part of a “double main event.” December 11 is the date under consideration at Principality Stadium, with December 18 also possible. Pacquiao adviser Jas Mathur told BoxingScene that Pacquiao’s financial terms are still being negotiated.
That leaves a great deal to settle before anyone can call this a fight. The Cardiff show itself has yet to be formally announced, and moving Joshua-Fury from the previously discussed Madison Square Garden setting means assembling the rest of the card around a different venue and date.
Pacquiao-Stevenson would bring two very different attractions to that card. Stevenson, 29, is coming off his January win over Teofimo Lopez and has since signed with Zuffa Boxing. Pacquiao, 47, drew with Mario Barrios in his July 2025 return. His name would draw attention far beyond the usual boxing audience, though the long layoff and age difference would become part of the conversation as soon as the fight was announced.
The proposed pairing also raises a practical question: what weight would they fight at? Pacquiao’s return came at welterweight, while Stevenson’s recent work has been at lighter weights. No weight, number of rounds, or title terms have been announced.
For now, the news is that Pacquiao-Stevenson has survived the reported switch to Cardiff and remains in Netflix’s plans, according to BoxingScene. The decisive development would be agreements reaching both fighters. Until then, it belongs on the list of fights being negotiated, rather than the Joshua-Fury undercard.
Pacquiao turns 48 on December 17. If the fight lands on December 18, Shakur would face him one day after his birthday. Pacquiao won his first world title in 1998, before Shakur turned two.
That age difference makes the matchup a hard sell as a competitive fight. If Shakur wins easily, how much credit does he get for beating a man nearly two decades older? If he boxes his way to a quiet decision, Pacquiao’s name may bring viewers to Netflix, but the fight may give them little reason to watch Shakur again.
Pacquiao’s fame can make this a major event. Turning it into a fight that helps Shakur is another matter. First, both men need to agree to terms; neither has received a bout agreement.
About the author
Boxing News 24 Desk
BoxingNews24.com has delivered independent boxing coverage since 2007, including original news, fight analysis, schedules, and results. Our experienced boxing writers cover major fighters and events worldwide, with published content reviewed by editors for accuracy.
Boxing
Teofimo Lopez Set to Defend World Title on Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua Undercard – Boxing News
Published
14 hours agoon
September 23, 2026
Teofimo Lopez has been offered a slot on the Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua card, which is set to take place at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on December 11.
‘The Takeover’ comes off a majority decision victory over Rolando Romero, who he dethroned last month after surviving a genuine scare in round five.
In reality, though, it was a far more convincing win than the scorecards suggested and, despite suffering a one-sided defeat to Shakur Stevenson in January, Lopez proved that he remains a highly-skilled operator at world level.
But while he has expressed an interest in unification matches at 147lbs, particularly one against WBC champion Ryan Garcia, the 29-year-old must first make a mandatory defence and retain his WBA title.
He has, in other words, been ordered to face Jack Catterallwho claimed his WBA ‘Regular’ title by producing arguably a career-best performance to unanimously outpoint Shakhram Giyasov in May.
Lopez, meanwhile, had attempted to swerve his mandatory duty and, according to boxing journalist Dan Rafaelis considering vacating his welterweight belt in pursuit of more lucrative opportunities.
If he is to proceed with the Catterall fight, however, then the three-division world champion could end up featuring on the expected Fury-Joshua card later this year.
Equally, Catterall has taken to social media and acknowledged that, as the champion, Lopez can choose to defend his title on home soil.
“Hey mate [Lopez]you fancy scrapping on the [Fury-Joshua] card? If not don’t worry, I’ll come to America and get my belt. Either way I’ll see you soon champ.”
Hey mate @TeofimoLopez you fancy scrapping on the fury aj card ? If not don’t worry I’ll come to America and get my belt. Either way I’ll see you soon champ 🤝 https://t.co/l6tDpimzE9
— Jack Catterall (@jack_catt93) September 22, 2026
According to WBA president Gilberto Mendoza, both parties have until October 22 to reach an agreement or risk a purse bid hearing being called.
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