Buddy McGirt Backs Shakur Stevenson’s “Style” to Conquer Teofimo Lopez

Coach Buddy McGirt is satisfied that Shakur Stevenson has the “type” to defeat Teofimo Lopez of their potential East Coast conflict in 2026.

Stevenson’s Threat in New York

McGirt doesn’t say what Shakur (24-0, 11 KOs) has going for him that may allow him to defeat WBO gentle welterweight champion Teofimo (22-1, 13 KOs). This battle might finish badly for Shakur, as Lopez has numerous offensive artillery that he’s going to be unloading on him on this encounter.

McGirt states that Shakur should stand his floor and battle as a result of the competition will seemingly be staged in New York at Madison Sq. Backyard. Preventing the best way he did towards William Zepeda might get Shakur knocked out. He was arguably dropped by a proper hand from Zepeda within the third spherical of their battle on July 12, 2025, in Queens, New York.

Lopez Holds Measurement and Energy Edge

Bodily measurement
Superior puncher
Strain
Expertise towards elite-level opposition

Stevenson collapsed into the ropes, which held him up. The referee failed to attain it as a knockout, however it was clear from watching it that Shakur was knocked down. The replays confirmed this. If a non-puncher like Zepeda might do this towards Stevenson, simply think about what an influence puncher like Lopez will do.

Turki Alalshikh’s Lifeline for Shakur

Stevensons is a low-output potshot fighter with the outdated Mayweather preventing type. He’s like a hybrid model of that type, however extra of a runner, which is why he hasn’t turn out to be in style.

Followers’ tastes have modified. They wish to see motion fighters. If not for Turki Alalahikh, Shakur seemingly would have drifted off into anonymity after he selected to half methods with Prime Rank when his contract ended. Turki has given Shakur a platform by together with him on the undercards in two of his Riyadh Season occasions towards beatable opposition, William Zepeda and Josh Padley.

Assuming the battle will get made, Shakur will freeze his WBC light-weight belt and transfer as much as 140 to problem Teofimo for his WBO title. This will likely be a one-off for Stevenson, as he intends to return to 135 to defend towards tremendous featherweight Lamont Roach subsequent.

McGirt Assured in Shakur’s Type

“With Shakur, they are saying, ‘Kinds make fights.’ I believe Shakur’s type will give him bother. To me, I don’t suppose Shakur has proven the world his finest,” mentioned coach Buddy McGirt to MillCity Boxing, giving his ideas on Teofimo Lopez vs. Shakur Stevenson.

At 28, what’s Shakur ready for? If he hasn’t proven his “finest” at this level, when is that going to be? I don’t suppose McGirt understands that that is nearly as good because it will get with Stevenson. He’s already proven the kind of fighter he’s going to be, and he’s not going to remodel into an entertaining fighter immediately.

At light-weight, Shakur isn’t the identical fighter he was when he had a measurement benefit over his opposition, preventing at 126 and 130. Now that he’s preventing at 135, he seems to be common, and he’s solely been in a position to hold issues collectively as a result of matchmaking by his promoters.

They’ve spoonfed Stevenson towards bottom-tier fighters: Josh Padley, Artem Harutyunyan, Shuichiro Yoshino, Edwin De Los Santos, and William Zepeda

We noticed how keen Shakur was to battle Zepeda. You recognize why? As a result of he had an ideal type for him, being that he’s not a puncher. The fighters that Shakur isn’t pushing to battle are guys with energy, like these:

Andy Cruz
Jadier Herrera
Abdullah Mason
Raymond Muratalla
Floyd Schofield

“He does simply sufficient to win, however in a battle like that,” mentioned Buddy about Stevenson. “I believe Shakur will step as much as the plate and get it on. They’re going to must as a result of they’re preventing in entrance of their hometowns.”

Stevenson goes to must do much more on offense than he did in his final battle towards William Zepeda if he needs to defeat Lopez. He did little or no in that battle and was outworked and outlanded by Zepeda.

The judges appeared to miss what Zepeda was doing on offense, specializing in the potshots from Shakur. It appeared that the judges scored the battle prefer it was an novice contest moderately than an expert one, selecting to concentrate on punches to the pinnacle.

Teofimo has acquired that potshot type down pat, as he’s been preventing that method his complete nine-year profession since he first turned professional in 2016. His superior punching energy goes to place Stevenson at an excessive drawback as a result of he gained’t have the ability to match him in that space.

Operating Technique Might Backfire Badly

The one recourse Shakur can have is to run like he did towards Edwin De Los Santos and attempt to restrict the variety of photographs Lopez hits him with. It’ll be a boring battle, however Shakur doesn’t have a lot alternative. He’ll must mimic the type his idol, Terence Crawford, used to defeat Canelo Alvarez.

Will Stevenson Embrace Villain Position?

If Stevenson can battle that method, he has an opportunity. The draw back is he’ll be booed out of no matter venue the competition is staged it. I suppose he gained’t thoughts as a result of he’s already adopted the villain persona. So, he can play the heel from begin to end.