Hall of Famer James Toney has predicted the outcome of the proposed match-up between Shakur Stevenson and Teofimo Lopez.
It has been reported in recent weeks that reigning WBO super-lightweight champion Lopez will make the fourth defence of his crown against Stevenson in the first few months of 2026.
Stevenson currently holds the WBC lightweight title, making the most recent defence of his belt in July when he put on a career-best performance against Mexico’s William Zepeda in New York City.
Lopez returned to the ring back in May when he defeated mandatory challenger Arnold Barboza Jr via unanimous decision to keep a hold of his WBO world title at 140lbs and rack up his sixth straight victory.
With the proposed Lopez vs. Stevenson match-up on the horizon, some of boxing’s biggest names have made their thoughts clear on the bout, and now three-weight world champion Toney is the latest to do so.
In an interview with Mill City Boxing, Toney sent a stern message out to Stevenson, as he backs Lopez to prevail against the 28-year-old.
“Man you know what? I’m not talking about Shakur Stevenson … The guy is disrespectful, to me, in my era he’d get crushed, crushed up, f**ked up, and Teo will beat him.”
Lopez has found himself on an impressive run of form since suffering the first defeat of his professional career to Australia’s George Kambosos Jr back in November of 2021.
The Brooklyn star returned to the world title picture just over two years ago when he outpointed former undisputed super-lightweight champion Josh Taylor to pick up the WBO super-lightweight crown, and has successfully made three defences to date.
