Lamont Roach Jr introduced himself to the super-lightweight division final weekend and can have one eye on Madison Sq. Backyard on January 31 when Teofimo Lopez meets Shakur Stevenson.
Lopez, 22-1 (13 KOs), makes the fourth defence of the WBO super-lightweight title he prised from Josh Taylor in 2023. That masterclass served as a reminder of simply how good Lopez may be, however inconsistency has shadowed him for years. Towards the three-weight champion Stevenson, 24-0 (11 KOs), he might want to produce his highest.
Roach, who felt robbed after being held to a draw in opposition to Isaac Cruz on his 140lbs debut, gave his prediction for subsequent month’s super-fight throughout an look on the Ring Champs Podcast.
“I feel Shakur wins, and I don’t suppose it’s going to be an excellent powerful combat both. His IQ will frustrate him.”
Roach’s verdict prompted the hosts to ask whether or not he additionally rated Lopez’s ring IQ, slickness and pace. The previous WBA super-featherweight champion replied:
“I feel so, however if you take a look at Teo’s performances in opposition to guys which might be simply pure boxers –– he nearly misplaced to Sandor Martin.”
Lopez was certainly lucky to edge Martin by cut up determination in a non-title bout three years in the past, a outcome that strengthened long-standing questions on his consistency and mindset. His defining second got here in opposition to Vasiliy Lomachenko in 2020, however a yr later he suffered one of many largest upsets of 2021 in opposition to George Kambosos Jr – a combat he was extensively anticipated to win handily, and which Roach referenced.
“He has psychological lapses each now and again. Have a look at the Kambosos combat. That’s a combat that folks would by no means count on Kambosis to win. And he received a gruelling match in opposition to him as effectively. I don’t suppose he can get it accomplished in opposition to Shakur.”
Lopez and Stevenson will face-off on the launch press convention scheduled for Wednesday, December 10 in New York.
