Teofima Lopez vs Shakur Stevenson prediction thread....

when has his plan a not worked? when?

 

The closer the fight gets the more I think Teo might pull it off. is the gap in Sheer athleticism and offense. Teo, along with being quite a bit bigger naturally, is also just a way more powerful and explosive athlete that can move in ways you don't really see Shakur move. Still I think Shakur's skill will allow him to rise to the occasion and mostly neutralise Teo's offense. Think he wins a close decision, but a Teo win and even knockout is a serious possibility.

 

Unfortunately I think the Shakur we will see will resemble the one we saw fight De Los Santos. I suspect Shakur will be very wary of Teo's power, and will look to eek out rounds on the backfoot in a dour affair; given fair judging a Teo victory is more than possible, but when it comes to the officiating Stevenson often seems to win nothing rounds by default so that will make it hard for Teo.

 

Not saying he doesn't have an effective style, but there has been times when he's in tough he gets on his bicycle. I mean, the guy is known for being boring.

 

Shakur by boring decision. Getting such a win, even with uncertainty, is their likely game plan anyway.

 

not his last fight. he stood his ground and beat his opponent at his own game. thats why i say he can deliver a plan b if plan a goes off the rails. he has the iq to be able to do that. yeah hes had some really boring fights where he does just enough to make sure he gets the w, so i do question his lack of consideration for the fans, but i cant question his abilities. the guy can box with the best of them.
teo on the other hand has the physical ability to compete with the best, but his lack of iq allows lesser fighters to compete, and even beat him if he didnt prepare for the right things.

 

You're acting like I'm criticizing the guy. Actually I pick him to win. He may not have a fan friendly style, but he is a terrific fighter. Too defensive and slick mover for some, but gets the job done his way. He will need a plan B when he gets there with someone that takes away his best stuff and stays in his face all fight.

 

didnt mean to come off that way. and ive also criticized shakur often. he has been boring in most fights so ive also questioned his heart. but its obvious the kid can box, and he finally showed me the confidence in himself that i wanted to see. in the ring not on the mic. another thing is that he really is calling for the smoke. he chased tank for a while til tank made it obvious he aint about that life. i also think if he gets by teo hes gonna go gunning for haney. i think he deserves a lot of the criticism hes gotten over his safety first approach, but he also deserves his flowers for his talent and willingness to take on the other guys making the most noise.

 

Yeah, he seems like he wants to fight the best. Too bad Tank bounced.

 

As good as Teo is, he's at his most effective when fighters come to him like Loma and Taylor, allowing him to do what he does best which is counter. Against a fighter that moves, makes him lead like Kambosos and Martin he struggles, he's not a fighter that can press effectively. Shakur wins a comfortable decision.

 

Teo actually forced Loma onto his backfoot for the entire first half of the fight, when he built up an insurmountable lead on the scorecards.

 

Nah that's not what happened. I see why you think that but what actually happened was Lopez took control of the centre of the ring, he didn't really chase him and back him up to the ropes, he didn't have to, because Loma likes to come to you, his short reach means he's developed a style where he's more effective when pressing. Lopez just stayed in the centre and Loma was happy to meet him in the middle with his back to the ropes but rarely actually being forced back and only when Lopez looked to regain the centre.

It was tactically an amazing game plan from Lopez, I have to admit that but it suited Teo's style and skillset.

 

What's the deal with everyone saying Teo's power is going to decide this fight? I thought the consensus was that he stopped being a huge puncher when he moved up from 135? Admittedly, he's still got more than respectable power, but the man couldn't stop Steve Claggett for crying out loud. Anyways, Shakur is Teo's stylistic hemlock, he'll win wide on points.

 

I actually think Teo will win this. Not with any great certainty mind you

 

I think that's what happened because that's exactly what happened.

Lopez grabbed control of the center of the ring and forced Loma to move backward and laterally throughout the first six rounds by applying educated pressure. The two (gaining control of the center of the ring and applying pressure) aren't mutually exclusive.

Lopez did not simply sit back and wait for Loma to "meet him in the middle."
In fact Teo forced Loma back to the ropes with body shots and sharp, quick punches on multiples occasions. Even the commentators noted that Loma had to "step to" Teo if he wanted to get his offense going.

In short, Teo applied smart, tactical, educated pressure, forcing Loma to move defensively and reset. What Teo didn't do was rely on his counterpunching, which would have been a curious approach given how few punches Loma threw over the first six rounds.