Ryan Garcia has shared his thoughts on the intriguing match-up between Shakur Stevenson and Teofimo Lopez.
It was announced earlier this month that Lopez will be making the fourth defence of his WBO super-lightweight title against Stevenson at the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York City on January 31.
Reigning WBC lightweight champion Stevenson will be bidding to become a world champion in a fourth weight class when he clashes with his countryman next month in what promises to be one of the most exciting bouts of the year.
Brooklyn-native Lopez was last in action back in May when he outpointed mandatory challenger Arnold Barboza Jr to defend his WBO world title for the third time, racking up his sixth consecutive victory.
Speaking on social media, former WBC interim lightweight champion Garcia backed Stevenson to ‘pick Lopez apart’ and get the job done via stoppage.
“I got Shakur Stevenson beating [Lopez]. How much you guys wanna bet anytime? I’ll bet in your tax bracket, bro. I’ll bet $100. Boxing him like he always does.
“They’re gonna be playing chess for a little bit then Shakur’s gonna break away by like the 4th, 5th or 6th then it’s gonna get ugly by like the 9th, 10th I think. Shakur gonna start picking him apart nasty.”
Stevenson has received criticism for his choice of opponents throughout his career but will undoubtedly redeem himself should he defeat Lopez in impressive fashion next month, as he sets his sights on cementing his status as one of the best fighters on the planet.
