Teofimo Lopez has advised WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson to think about moving back to the 130 or 126 weight categories where he could have a shot at becoming undisputed. Teofimo feels that Shakur’s performance has suffered since he moved up to 135 because he gained weight during breaks between fights.
Shakur has previously fought in various weight divisions, such as lightweight (from 2022 onwards), super featherweight (from 2020 to 2022), and featherweight (from 2017 to 2020). Teofimo points out that Shakur seemed more powerful and successful when he was competing in lower weight classes.
Teofimo also notes the lack of interest from top fighters at 135 in facing Shakur, which could limit his chances of progress in that division. He recommends that Shakur should think about going back to 130 or even 126 if he wants to rediscover his peak form and gain more recognition in boxing circles.
Although Teofimo acknowledges that the super featherweight division is currently slow-moving, he suggests that Shakur could excel by stepping back down to 126 and taking on a fresh set of tough opponents. He stresses that reverting to a lower weight class could ultimately work in Shakur’s favor in terms of his career and standing in the sport.
