A Self-Proclaimed Successor: Looking at Shakur Stevenson’s Insurance case To The Throne

Shakur Stevenson declares the champion of his fight versus Teofimo Lopez in very early 2026 will definitely determine that is the runner-up to be the next ‘Face of Boxing’ after Terence Crawford is gone. Simply placed, the adhering to ‘Face’

(Credit Report: Matchroom)

Shakur (24 -0, 11 KOs) specifies that whoever emerges the victor in his clash versus WBO light welterweight champ Lopez (22 – 1, 13 KOs) will certainly be “the leader of the next generation.”

That would certainly seem economical if either of these competitors were taking care of the leading rivals from their weight course to think about that fabricated title some importance. They have actually not been doing that, though. So, it makes no feeling for either of them to call themselves “leader of the next generation.”

What Makes a Real Leader

To be a real leader and not a poseur , Shakur and Teofimo would definitely require to handle the leading competitors in their weight training course. That hasn’t occurred with either. Since Stevenson increased to light-weight in 2023, these are the rivals he’s managed: William Zepeda, Josh Padley, Artem Harutyunyan, andEdwin De Los Santos

Vacant Words, Empty Victories

“I assume it becomes that is the leader of the new institution. So, the champion of that battle becomes the leader of the future generation,” stated Shakur Stevenson to The Arena regarding his concept that the champ of his clash versus Teofimo Lopez in 2026 will certainly be the following leader to carry the showing off task at the minimum in his mind.

I do not acknowledge what Shakur is discussing. His fight versus Teofimo will certainly not validate that the adhering to “leader” is, “the next generation” by any means. That battle is nearly cash money if it happens. If Shakur wins, he has actually currently declared he’ll offer the WBO 140 -extra pound title to his buddy Keyshawn Davis and go back to his initial weight course at 135

A triumph for Teofiimo will certainly not show a lot due to the fact that he’ll have defeated a light-weight that has no power, also due to the fact that division. Given that beating Josh Taylor in 2023 to end up being the WBO light welterweight champ, Teofimo has actually secured the title compared to these non-elite fighters: Arnold Barboza Jr., Steve Claggett, Jamaine Ortiz, andSandor Martin

The Fighters They Disregard

Fans and fighters have actually banged Lopez for overlooking the leading competitors in the 140 -pound department. They feel he’s cherry-picking his oppositions to prolong his power as WBO champ for as lengthy as viable. It would indicate something if Teo handed over a brand-new dropped leave and began fighting the leading capabilities in the 140 -extra pound department that have actually been calling him out. There are

Top 140 -pounders looking for Lopez without good luck

1. Gary Antuanne Russell
2. Richardson Hitchins
3. Subriel Matias
4. Ernesto Mercado
5. Keyshawn Davis

“Everybody understands that me and Teo are bad mother f ***** when it comes to that boxing. The winner, I’m not going to state The Face of Boxing, since that’s Terence Crawford. But behind him, that’s following? I believe that battle is mosting likely to discriminate,” declaredShakur

The victor of the Lopez vs. Stevenson fight isn’t follower behind Crawford as the adhering to ‘Face of Boxing.’ To be fact next person, Shakur and Teofimo would definitely need to combat and beat the leading fighters that they have actually selected not to experience in their certain weight courses. I called the rivals that Lopez, for whatever factor, has actually regularly picked not to fight.

At light-weight, these are the competitors that Shakur has actually neglected:

1. Andy Cruz
2. Abdullah Mason
3. Jadier Herrera
4. Raymond Muratalla

If Shakur picks to eliminate those individuals, any type of self-proclaimed title like ‘Face of Boxing’ that he selects to provide himself has a high opportunity of evaporating. I do not think Shakur can defeat any type of among those 4 competitors. I do not presume he would definitely defeat Floyd Schofield either. I actually did not include him on the list considering that Shakur attempted to battle him formerly this year on the February 22 nd card inRiyadh Schofield took out from the fight as a result of disease.