Boxing
The Lopez vs. Stevenson chess match carries PPV risks
Published
4 months agoon
The January 31 fight between Teofimo Lopez and Shakur Stevenson has been confirmed and scheduled for the DAZN Pay-Per-View event. What’s still uncertain is how the styles will interact when the bell rings. Both players are known for their control, positioning and tempo management. It has been suggested, but not proven, whether any of them are willing to accept short-term risks to prevent the fight from narrowing into long periods of caution. On a paid platform, the balance between control and engagement remains unresolved.
Control will lead to conflict or restriction
The main problem is the overlapping styles. Both Lopez and Stevenson prefer to call the shots rather than react. None of them relied on consistent volume as a foundation. When two fighters with similar priorities meet, the result may be technical clarity or mutual restraint. The direction of this fight depends less on skill and more on intention, which cannot be confirmed in advance.
Lopez’s last fight against Arnold Barboza Jr., which took place in Times Square in May, remains part of the discussion. The victory was controlled and methodical, but the urgency was constrained. Movement, spacing and resets defined most of the action. The reaction in the ring was audible during quieter stretches and reflected dissatisfaction rather than confusion.
Some observers have noted that Lopez has adopted patterns often associated with Stevenson, including recurrent withdrawals and a preference for resets over constant pressure. This approach worked well on the scorecards, but the crowd’s reaction helped him in the process.
Stevenson’s correction remains incomplete
Stevenson’s defensive structure was established. Lands cleanly, exits safely and limits return fire. This approach produced consistent results, with ongoing discussion of the results. Now, competing in a higher league, Stevenson is still getting back into physical shape. How he handles constant pressure for twelve rounds at this weight is yet to be determined.
Lopez has the speed and strength to change rhythm if he decides to go close. It is unclear whether he will decide to do so. If Stevenson controls the range and Lopez accepts space, the fight could result in single shots and repeated resets.
The fight, taking place on pay-per-view, carries additional expectations. Precision itself is often perceived differently when price is involved. Careful fighting can still produce a clear winner, but when commitment is constrained, dissatisfaction usually sets in.
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Last update: 01/12/2026
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David Benavidez’s move up to heavyweight no longer sounds like a fantasy after trainer Robert Garcia openly predicted victories over Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder while discussing Benavidez’s future following his dominant win over Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez.
Robert said Benavidez already has the style and hand speed to cause trouble for boxing’s biggest names if he ultimately decides to move up.
“I think Benavidez beats all three,” Garcia told Fino Boxing as Fury, Joshua and Wilder were raised as potential future opponents. “They are ponderous compared to Benavidez. They won’t even have a chance to throw a punch. Before Ben hits them 20 times.”
Garcia admitted that Fury would still have the hardest task due to his size, but he still supported Benavidez, who was going to break him with a powerful punch.
“I think the hardest one would have to be Fury because the weight is hefty. It’s challenging,” Garcia said. “But even then, if he has his hand on Benavidez, Benavidez will throw those 20-punch combinations to the body and that’s it. That’s it.”
Robert’s comments came after Benavidez stopped Ramirez in a performance that sparked debate about how far the undefeated star can go after already winning the super middleweight and cruiserweight titles. Garcia said he still wants Benavidez to spend more time at cruiserweight before making the full move to heavyweight.
“I think he could fight at heavyweight,” Garcia said. “But I would say two years, a year and a half, three more cruiserweight fights and then I’ll move up to heavyweight.”
Garcia also mentioned Andy Ruiz Jr., Richard Torrez Jr., Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev as potential future opponents when discussing Benavidez’s future path.

Tomek Galm is a boxing journalist covering the global fight landscape since 2014, specializing in heavyweight analysis, industry trends and fighter psychology.
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Last updated: 16/05/2026 at 10:12
Boxing
Canelo Alvarez responds to Jake Paul’s $200 million fight offer
Published
3 hours agoon
May 16, 2026
Jake Paul’s claim that he found $200 million specifically for a potential fight with Canelo Alvarez sparked a direct response from the Mexican champion.
The YouTuber-turned-boxer was scheduled to collide with Canelo in May 2025, but Turki Alalshikh stepped in and signed the then super middleweight king to a multi-fight contract.
It made Alvarez a two-time undisputed champion against William Scull before losing his four major titles in a unanimous decision loss to Terence Crawford last September.
However, since Crawford announced his retirement and vacated the belts, Canelo is scheduled to fight for the world title in September this year in Riyad, Saudi Arabia.
The most likely opponent seems to be WBC champion Christian Mbilli, who is coming off a fascinating draw with Lester Martinez on the Canelo-Crawford card.
However, despite this plan, Paul appears to be trying to get back into his game with the 35-year-old, insisting that a $200 million purse remains up for grabs.
The 29-year-old revealed the news on a live broadcast earlier this week, suggesting it is the “biggest fight” in boxing.
“Canelo, I have $200 million for you. Uncomplicated money. Jake Paul vs. Canelo – let’s finish it. This is what the fans have been waiting for; this is the biggest fight you can have in boxing. I think this will be the next fight.
Jake Paul just said Canelo Alvarez will be his next fight and he will pay him $200 million 🤯
“This is the biggest fight you can have in boxing. Jake Paul vs. Canelo. Official.” pic.twitter.com/QJRLuPjO9r
— Cheerful Punch (@HappyPunch) May 13, 2026
In response, Canelo simply posted three laughing emojis on his Instagram story, signaling that Paul’s offer was not to be taken seriously.
After all, there is A a chance the American may never box again, given the injuries he sustained to his jaw after being knocked out by Anthony Joshua in December.
Boxing
Jake Paul claims he would have made Canelo $300 million
Published
5 hours agoon
May 16, 2026
Jake Paul responded to Canelo Alvarez after the undisputed super middleweight champion previously reacted to talk of a potential fight between the two with laughing emojis on social media.
While greeting fans and media during a public appearance this week, Jake was asked what financial terms he believed would be needed to make the fight happen.
“Yes, 200 [million] for him 300[millionformeWe’llfinalizethedealEasywork”-PaulsaidintheinterviewwithFightHubTVwhenaskedaboutapossibledealCanelo[millionformeWe’llgetthedealdoneEasywork”saidPaultoFightHubTVwhenaskedaboutapossibledealwithCanelo[milionówdlamnieSfinalizujemytransakcjęŁatwapraca”–powiedziałPaulwrozmowiezFightHubTVzapytanyomożliwąumowęzCanelo[millionformeWe’llgetthedealdoneEasywork”saidPaultoFightHubTVwhenaskedaboutapossibledealwithCanelo
The comment immediately drew attention due to the huge figure associated with the fight. Jake has continued to call for a fight with Canelo over the past year, despite criticism from many boxing fans and fighters who viewed the fight as unrealistic.
Jake was then asked about Canelo and responded with laughing emojis when the topic of a fight between the two came up online.
“I don’t know what that means, but he won’t laugh when I kick his ass,” Paul said.
The rivalry between the two continues to escalate publicly through interviews and exchanges on social media, even though no official negotiations have been announced.
Jake has mentioned Canelo multiple times in interviews over the past year, keeping the possibility of a future fight circulating despite widespread skepticism in boxing circles.
Canelo is currently scheduled to face Christian Mbilli later this year in Riyad, Saudi Arabia, while Jake continues to rehabilitate from injuries suffered in his December 2025 fight against Anthony Joshua.

Tomek Galm is a boxing journalist covering the global fight landscape since 2014, specializing in heavyweight analysis, industry trends and fighter psychology.
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Last updated: 16/05/2026 at 7:21
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