The predictions continue to come in for the proposed Shakur Stevenson vs. Teofimo Lopez match-up.
A clash between Stevenson and Lopez is in talks to take place in early 2026, and would see Stevenson stepping up in weight to challenge Lopez for his WBO super-lightweight title.
Stevenson is already a three-weight world champion, having claimed world honours at featherweight and super-featherweight before now reigning as the WBC lightweight champion.
He made the latest defence of his world title in July when he put in arguably the best performance of his career so far when he defeated William Zepeda by unanimous decision at the Louis Armstrong Stadium in New York.
As for Lopez, he was unified world champion at lightweight before stepping up to 140lbs and claiming the WBO strap, defending it successfully three times to date, including a unanimous decision victory over Arnold Barboza in May.
One boxing legend who has now weighed in on the potential Stevenson vs. Lopez clash is Roy Jones Jr, who has plenty of experience himself moving up in weight to claim world honours, having become a four-weight world champion in his own illustrious career.
Speaking to AB Boxing News, Jones likened the clash to the recent Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford showdown, stating it is a bout that boxing needs.
“That’s a good damn fight. That fight is skill for skill as good as this fight [Canelo vs. Crawford], but they just haven’t been around long enough to prove themselves yet.
“But skill for skill in terms of quality, to me Bud and Canelo are equal because of where they’re at in their career with how accomplished they are. These two guys [Stevenson and Lopez] are also equal with where they are at in their career.
“They’re equally accomplished, and those are two damn good fights and what boxing needs.”
If the fight does indeed take place, former two-weight world champion Tim Bradley is certain who will be victorious.
