Teofimo Lopez vs. Shakur Stevenson Keys to Victory: Breaking down tactics of each fighter

Teofimo Lopez wants to be the first person to hand Shakur Stevenson a loss, aiming to do it by a resounding knockout. Stevenson wants to prove that his sweet science brilliance is levels above any obstacles ‘The Takeover’ can present.

The boxing world will learn who stands supreme at 140 pounds Saturday night when Lopez puts his WBO and The Ring super lightweight world titles on the line against the undefeated Stevenson at Ring VI at Madison Square Garden in New York City, and live on DAZN PPV.

Stevenson (24-0, 11 KOs) had a big 2025, first delivering a ninth-round TKO of Josh Padley in February before handing William Zepeda his first defeat via a comfortable unanimous decision in July. Meanwhile, Lopez (22-1, 13 KOs) dominated his way past Arnold Barboza Jr. via unanimous decision to retain his WBO and The Ring 140-pound titles.

Will Lopez, who rose to the occasion to defeat favorites Vasiliy Lomachenko and Josh Taylor, once again pull off an upset? Or will Stevenson stake claim to Lopez’ titles and being the new face of boxing all in one swoop? With the anticipation reaching a fever pitch, DAZN News breaks down the Keys to Victory for both stars.

Teofimo Lopez’ Keys to Victory

Use athleticism to get inside of Stevenson’s jab

Shakur Stevenson might have the best jab in boxing, using the educated stick to keep opponents at bay as he dissects them systematically.

Knowing this, Teofimo Lopez must get inside of Stevenson’s jab and the WBO and The Ring super lightweight world champion can accomplish this by relying on his athleticism.

Lopez is crafty in the way he feints and changes levels to work his way inside. Doing this successfully against Stevenson will earn Lopez rounds and better his chances at retaining his titles.

Pressure in bursts

Once Stevenson digs his lead foot into the canvas behind the jab, it is difficult to make him budge.

William Zepeda was only able to do it sparingly over the course of their 12-round fight last summer, but Lopez has the skills to pressure in bursts and land potshots that serve as eye candy to judges and their scorecards.

He must try to present peril to Stevenson, putting the ring general in predicaments the boxing world has never seen him in.

Wrap the right hook around the guard

When Stevenson fires a one-two combination, Lopez must be ready to counter with a right hook.

Wrapping the weapon around an unsuspecting Stevenson can be Lopez' best bet to hurting the Newark, New Jersey native and possibly handing him his first pro defeat.

Shakur Stevenson’s Keys to Victory

Establish the jab

Once Shakur Stevenson asserts his jab, it usually means a long night for his opposition.

Against an athletic world champion in Teofimo Lopez, Stevenson’s jab could serve a three-pronged effect: keeping Lopez at bay, banking rounds and dictating the flow of the fight.

It is Stevenson’s biggest essential.

Catch Lopez lunging in

Stevenson already makes clever real-time adjustments to his opponents’ tactics. Against an active Lopez, Stevenson must be ready to react to his forward-fighting bursts.

Managing ring real estate with the jab and straight left hand from the southpaw Stevenson will be of aid in plucking an incoming Lopez off in traffic and demoralizing the champion’s confidence along the way.

Make Lopez miss

Amongst active fighters, Stevenson is the master of the hit and don’t get hit brand of boxing. CompuBox, as highlighted by The Ring, even pointed out how Stevenson only gets hit by one in five of his opponent’s attempted power punches for a ratio of 19.5 percent — boxing’s current best.

Now, if there is a boxer who can break that stronghold, it is Lopez. ‘The Takeover’ is that good.

However, Stevenson’s ability to hit Lopez and evade most of the harm’s way from the Brooklyn, New York native will spell the difference between him leaving MSG as the new WBO and The Ring super lightweight world champion or not.