TEOFIMO LOPEZ wants to bring his all-action style to the UK but he knows he has to shock cautious Shakur Stevenson first.
Lopez, 28, defends his WBO super-lightweight crown against the 28-year-old silky southpaw on Saturday night, at the iconic .
Lopez wants to entertain fans inside and outside of the ropes, with dance moves, backflips and masks on the menuCredit: Getty
Ice-cool Shakur Stevenson does not mess around in the ring or in the mediaCredit: Getty
Shakur has already won world titles in three divisions, with a watertight defence and ruthless precision.
But UK fight fans have seen his safety-first style earn boos on a 2019 undercard and in last year’s round-nine stoppage of Doncaster’s Josh Padley, who took the fight on just two days notice.
Lopez – who loves trash talking his opponents, leaping into left hooks and celebrating with dance moves and backflips – reckons something has scared his rival into his Philly shell.
Lopez told SunSport’s No Glove Lost YouTube show: “It’s very interesting, for someone that’s had a phenomenal amateur pedigree and background, to come out in the pros and to fight like this.
“Something may have happened to him in one of these pro fights that made him think differently.
“And I think that’s why we’re seeing this type of style and fight in .
“I am not him, thankfully. I love to put on a good showing for all my people, everyone that supports, especially in the UK.
“My dream is to fight in the UK one day, it’s something on my bucket list before the end of my career.
“But, as for Shakur, the fans that like will keep watching it, but I know my true boxing fans, they love seeing me fight.”
Both Americans went to the 2016 Rio Olympics, though Lopez represented his parents’ Honduras home.
And despite Lopez being a proud Brooklyn boy and Stevenson representing Newark, the pair have never mixed.
This unlikely match-up, with Stevenson stepping up in weight again, will hopefully revitalise US boxing, with broadcasters and superstars in short supply.
Lopez explained: “Very separate, very different, in timings and weight classes.
“I that’s why I guess I never thought that we would face each other
“But we are now, we’re a couple of days away from fighting each other and really uplifting the sport of boxing.”
Teofimo Lopez vs Shakur Stevenson - all the info
The biggest fight of the year so far!
will defend his WBO super-lightweight belt against THIS WEEKEND.
Lopez is one of boxing’s form fighters and will make the fifth defence of his title against superstar Stevenson, who is bidding to win a title in a fourth weight class.
The mega-fight takes place on Saturday night in what will be a packed Madison Square Garden.
As well as the mouth-watering main event, there will be two other world title fights, with Carlos Adames taking on Austin Williams for the WBC middleweight title and Bruce Carrington facing Carlos Manriquez for the WBC featherweight title.
Budding superstar Keyshawn Davis is also in action, as is heavyweight contender Jarrell Miller.
WATCH LOPEZ VS STEVENSON ONLY ON DAZN
Here’s everything you need to know for The Ring 6…
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Eze Chidiebere Paul
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