Teofimo Lopez vs. Shakur Stevenson: World title fight marred by an ugly buildup at the press conference

Shakur Stevenson was restrained by security guards after confronting Teofimo Lopez on stage as preparations for their highly anticipated world title fight were marred by nasty exchanges in New York.

American Lopez (28 years old) will defend his light welterweight belt against his American compatriot Stevenson at Madison Square Garden on Saturday.

Tensions erupted at Thursday’s news conference when Stevenson, 28, mistook Lopez’s crude comment as being about his mother.

Stevenson vowed to “knock out” his opponent but sat down and insisted that the contest would be settled in the ring.

“Keep the same energy on Saturday,” Stevenson said. “That’s when you’ll find out.”

Stevenson, a three-weight world champion, has won all 24 of his professional bouts.

Lopez, the two-weight titleholder, has won six straight fights since his only loss in 23 fights to George Kambosos Jr. in 2021.

The shouting match continued as Stevenson and his camp, led by coach and grandfather Wally Moses, accused Lopez’s father and coach of being too hungry to attend.

“Where is your father today?” Stevenson asked, suggesting without evidence that Teofimo Lopez Sr. had been drinking at a hotel the night before.

Stevenson theatrically presented a bottle of alcohol in a paper bag that a security guard handed over while Lopez laughed.

Lopez later spoke in a calmer tone, saying: “My soul is a lighthouse. We have something to cherish being here. We have life. It’s not about trying to be street thugs.”

During the confrontation, Stevenson continued to chat with Lopez, who kept a straight face and simply stared at him, before handing Stevenson a light shoulder barge and exiting the stage.