By Norm Frauenheim
Teofimo Lopez arrived looking more like a preacher than a prizefighter. He wore a half-coat and reading glasses, carefully balanced at the end of his flat nose.
Instead of a belt, he carried a book.
No telling what it said. But, safe to say, there was no sermon from the bully pulpit. This was the Church of Chaos, another boxing ritual, a news conference Thursday intended to offend and sell, sell, sell.
The Lopez-Shakur Stevenson fight is doing that and perhaps a lot more. The junior-welterweight bout Saturday at New York’s Madison Square Garden is already sold out. A big audience for the DAZN live-stream is expected. Chaos, staged or otherwise, really isn’t necessary.
This fight, the first significant one in a New Year, sells itself. From the pound-for-pound debate to the race to be the game’s new face, it’s all there. Nevertheless, neither Lopez nor Stevenson nor anybody in the audience could resist another chance at some drama in the live-streamed newser.
First, there was Lopez’ look, or perhaps costume. He’s unpredictable, so much so that many wonder about his chances against Stevenson’s classic skillset. Hence, the inevitable question: Which Lopez will show up? The fighter who beat Vasiliy Lomachenko and Josh Taylor? Or the one who lost to George Kambosos?
His fashion statement Thursday offered no clues. On paper, at least, Lopez has some documented advantages. At opening bell, he’ll be the defending champion. He holds the World Boxing Organization and The Ring versions of the 140-pound belt. He’s held them for more than two years, including three defenses.
He knows the weight. Stevenson doesn’t. The former champion at 135, 130 and 126 pounds is at the heavier weight for the first time. A jump too fast, a bridge too far? The oddsmakers don’t think so. Stevenson is about a 3-to-1 favorite.
Stevenson mentor Terence Crawford, a retired face of the game since his September triumph over Canelo Alvarez, doesn’t think so, either.
“Shakur is on a whole ‘nother level,’’ Crawford said in an interview after the newser in New York. “Come Saturday, he’s going to prove it.’’
Stevenson’s cool confidence has been evident since the fight was formally announced. Still, the ever-enigmatic Lopez tried to rattle him Thursday. In a spontaneous flash of anger, it looks as if he might have succeeded.
In the middle of a trash-talking exchange full of profanity – both racial and sexual, Lopez insulted Stevenson’s mom. Stevenson, who ran to defend his mom after his 2022 victory over Oscar Valdez in Las Vegas, got up from his seat on the stage and walked toward Lopez.
“I will smack the (bleep) out of you,’’ Stevenson said with evident menace.
It was a moment when it looked as if the newser was going off the rails. It was also a moment when pundits decided it was enough to score an early victory for Lopez (22-1, 13 KOs). But Stevenson (24-0, 11 KOs) quickly regained his evident poise. After all, he had an unexpected counter waiting for Lopez.
Lopez’ father and trainer, Teofimo Sr., missed the newser. “Under-the weather” was the formal explanation. “Hungover” was the Stevenson explanation. Stevenson and his corner said they saw Lopez’ dad in the hotel lobby Wednesday.
That’s when they decided to buy a bottle that they wrapped in a brown-paper bag, which could have been used to wrap much of what transpired Thursday. Stevenson reached under his chair and handed it to Teofimo Jr., who apparently had no answer. Maybe, he should have consulted that book.
Guess here: After some early success, Lopez will run out of answers in the late rounds against Stevenson’s technical, southpaw skillset. Stevenson by unanimous decision.
Notes on an undercard
Carlos Castro (30-3, 14 KOs), of Phoenix, faces a tough challenge on the undercard against emerging Bruce Carrington (16-0, 9 KOs), of New York, on the Lopez-Stevenson card.
Castro knocked down Stephen Fulton in his last bout, yet still lost a split decision.
“I’m good, I’m confident,’’ said Castro, who grew up in a Phoenix trailer park. “I’m here to take on the best, here to prove myself.’’
Kingsley Ibeh, a Nigerian and a former defensive tackle at Washburn University in Topeka, has been training in Phoenix for a heavyweight bout against Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller, also on the Stevenson-Lopez card.
Ibeh (16-2-1, 14 KOS), who also played soccer in Romania, wound up in the ring only after a chance encounter in a Phoenix gym. He scored a knockout in an impromptu sparring session during a workout. Ibeh, who started playing football at Glendale Junior College in suburban Phoenix, had been working as an insurance salesman and personal trainer.
