Teofimo Lopez and Shakur Stevenson Trade Shots Online as Talks for Superfight Heat Up

“Destiny is calling”

Shakur Stevenson (24-0, 11 KOs), the reigning WBC lightweight champion. Kicked things off with a cryptic yet confident post that instantly went viral.

“Destiny is calling. I can feel it,” Stevenson wrote. “Four-division champion on the way.”

Within minutes, Teofimo Lopez Jr. (22-1, 13 KOs) — the WBO and Ring Magazine junior welterweight champion — fired back in classic “Takeover” fashion.

“I’m putting you to sleep for all the times you put your fans to sleep with your performances!” Lopez shot back. “Sorry ass [expletive]. I got a new nickname for you: Mr. Sandman.”

Unfazed, Stevenson clapped right back.

“You stopped zero people at 140. Now you’re gonna put me to sleep?” Stevenson wrote. “Teofimo, your time is up. I hope you enjoyed your run — four-division champion on the way.”

The rivalry builds

The exchange is the latest volley in what’s quickly becoming one of boxing’s premier rivalries. Both men hinted last month on Inside The Ring that they are “meant” to fight next and Tuesday’s online fireworks only strengthened that belief.

Lopez, 27, has been vocal about his dominance at 140 pounds. A division where he’s gone 5-0 since moving up from lightweight in 2022. His most recent victory came in May over Arnold Barboza Jr. during The Ring’s Times Square card, extending his reign as one of boxing’s most talented tacticians.

Stevenson, 27, remains unbeaten and technically masterful. In July, he turned in a career-best performance by shutting down William Segura via unanimous decision on The Ring III card. The Newark native currently sits at No. 8 on The Ring’s pound-for-pound list, and has made it clear he wants immediate greatness not gradual adaptation.

“Pound-for-pound, I’m going to beat the man at 140, get the Ring Magazine belt, and laugh at all who doubted,” Stevenson said recently. “No tune-ups, no fights to get comfortable at the weight just big balls and big dreams.”

What’s at stake

If finalized, Lopez vs. Stevenson would be a legitimate superfight between two world champions in their primes, representing both a generational and stylistic clash: Lopez’s explosiveness and counterpunch power versus Stevenson’s surgical precision and defensive mastery.

Both camps have expressed mutual interest, and according to sources. Talks are progressing toward a potential spring 2025 showdown possibly in Las Vegas or New York, two markets both men have headlined.

The bottom line

For all their words, what’s clear is this. Shakur Stevenson and Teofimo Lopez are on a collision course. Which could define the next era of boxing at 140 pounds. The verbal jabs have landed. Now fans await the real ones.