Tony Bellew watched Teofimo Lopez lose his world title to Shakur Stevenson at Madison Square Garden this past weekend and has now shared his response to the fight.
Stevenson is now a four-weight world champion after his latest win. Although the fighter has been criticised for his safety-first style in the past, he showed what a master he is of the sweet science.
Across the full 12 rounds, he was never close to being hurt, and his slick, almost impenetrable defences meant he hardly took a clean shot from Lopez.
The 28-year-old won by unanimous decision and claimed 11 of the 12 rounds on all three judges’ scorecards, which meant he picked up the WBO super-lightweight on top of previous belts in the lightweight, super featherweight and featherweight divisions. He remains unbeaten, having also bested the likes of William Zepeda, Oscar Valdez and Jamel Herring.
Former unified lightweight ruler Lopez had held the WBO light welterweight title since June 2023, when he beat Scotland’s Josh Taylor and defended it three times, but Stevenson was a step too far.
In a new post on X, former cruiserweight world champion Bellew had a supportive message for Lopez.
“Proper fighter and I respect this guy so much!! Fights EVERYONE & ANYONE!! A true champion who will be back! 👊🔥👊”
Since the fight, Lopez has suggested the might move up to the welterweight division, while Stevenson went face-to-face with Conor Benn in the ring afterwards, as both men shouted loudly about facing one another at some point in the future.
