Teofimo Lopez Sr Explains Son’s Loss to Shakur Stevenson: “That Wasn’t Him”

Teofimo Lopez Sr has offered a candid assessment of his son’s performance following Teofimo Lopez Jr’s decisive defeat to Shakur Stevenson, insisting that the fighter fans saw inside Madison Square Garden was not a true reflection of his abilities.

Lopez Jr surrendered his WBO super-lightweight title on Saturday night after Stevenson delivered a composed and dominant performance, securing a unanimous decision victory to become a four-weight world champion. From the opening bell, Stevenson’s control of distance, timing and rhythm proved too much for Lopez, who struggled to impose himself across all 12 rounds.

In the aftermath, questions quickly emerged about why Lopez appeared unusually flat in a bout many expected to be fiercely competitive.

“Everything Was Fine in Camp”

Speaking to Seconds Out, Teofimo Lopez Sr—who also serves as his son’s head trainer—revealed that there were no warning signs heading into the fight.

According to Lopez Sr, the training camp had been productive and confidence was high, particularly based on what he saw in sparring sessions.

“Everything was fine,” Lopez Sr said. “The sparring sessions were what motivated me to this fight. I was 100% sure we were going to win.”

That confidence, however, never translated into the ring.

Game Plan Breakdown

Lopez Sr believes the turning point came when his son failed to execute the tactical approach designed to disrupt Stevenson’s rhythm.

Stevenson, widely regarded as one of boxing’s most technically refined fighters, thrives when allowed to control tempo and distance—something Lopez Sr says the game plan was built specifically to prevent.

“For some reason, the game plan—my son didn’t do what I told him what he was supposed to do,” he explained. “His rhythm was supposed to be different, where we were supposed to stop Shakur from doing whatever he does best.”

Instead, Stevenson dictated proceedings, neutralizing Lopez’s explosive offense and consistently beating him to the punch. By the middle rounds, the fight had settled into a pattern that overwhelmingly favored the challenger.

Outside Noise a Factor

Beyond tactics, Lopez Sr also suggested that distractions surrounding the fight may have played a role in his son’s underwhelming showing.

In the build-up, speculation was already circulating about future matchups, including talk of the winner returning to the ring as soon as May. Lopez Sr believes that narrative may have affected his son’s focus.

“I think the networks and everybody, the media, everything leading up to this fight and talking about the winner fighting in May—I think that probably got to him,” he said.

Despite the disappointment, Lopez Sr was quick to credit Stevenson for his performance, acknowledging the champion’s quality while maintaining that the bout did not reflect his son at his best.

“Congratulations to him for winning,” he added. “But that wasn’t my son in there.”

Stevenson’s Rise Continues

For Stevenson, the victory further cemented his status among boxing’s elite. Already a multi-division champion, the win over Lopez added another high-profile name to his résumé and showcased his ability to neutralize explosive, aggressive opponents at the highest level.

Now a four-weight world champion, Stevenson appears well-positioned for major fights across multiple divisions as his star continues to rise.

What’s Next for Teofimo Lopez?

The loss marks a significant turning point in Lopez Jr’s career.

Shortly after the defeat, Lopez confirmed plans to move up to welterweight, signaling an end to his run at 140 pounds. At 147lbs, he will attempt to reinvent himself and pursue world titles in a third weight division.

The move could offer a fresh start after a turbulent period that has included dramatic highs—such as his victory over Vasiliy Lomachenko—and frustrating setbacks.

Whether Lopez can successfully adapt his style against naturally bigger opponents remains an open question, but his team appears confident that a new chapter may bring renewed focus and motivation.

For now, the defeat to Stevenson stands as a sobering reminder of the fine margins at elite level—and of how even the most talented fighters can be undone when preparation, execution and mindset fail to align on fight night.