Former light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver believes Teofimo Lopez must produce something dramatic if he is to overcome Shakur Stevenson when the two meet at the end of the month in New York. Despite Lopez’s résumé featuring wins over Vasyl Lomachenko and Josh Taylor, Tarver sees him entering his WBO super-lightweight title defense as a live underdog.
Lopez will defend his WBO 140-pound belt at Madison Square Garden, where Stevenson arrives as a three-division world champion who has moved cleanly through featherweight, super featherweight and lightweight.
According to Tarver, Lopez’s footwork and willingness to take risks could help him close distance and disrupt Stevenson’s rhythm. He described Lopez as a fighter who operates on instinct rather than a rigid style, calling him “a gambler” who is unafraid to take chances against elite opposition.
Still, Tarver was clear about what he sees as the deciding factor, saying that Lopez’s best - and perhaps only - route to victory is a stoppage and suggesting that Stevenson may need to stand his ground at times and trade.
Stevenson underwent hand surgery in late 2024 after tearing his sagittal band and collateral ligament, but he has since returned to beat Josh Padley and William Zepeda during 2025. Now the reigning WBC lightweight champion, Stevenson will challenge Lopez for the WBO super-lightweight title on January 31, headlining a card that includes two additional world title bouts before the main event.
Image Credit: The Ring