Lopez v Stevenson marred by ugly build-up

Shakur Stevenson was restrained by security guards after confronting Teofimo Lopez on stage as the build-up to their highly-anticipated world title fight was marred by unsavoury exchanges in New York.

American Lopez, 28, will defend his WBO light-welterweight belt against fellow American Stevenson at Madison Square Garden on Saturday.

Tensions flared at Thursday’s news conference when Stevenson, 28, misheard a crude comment by Lopez as being about his mother.

Stevenson vowed to “smack” his opponent but sat back down and insisted the rivalry would be settled in the ring.

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

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

Two-weight titleholder Lopez has won six fights in a row since his sole defeat in 23 outings to George Kambosos Jr in 2021.

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

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

Stevenson theatrically presented a bottle of alcohol in a paper bag, handed over by a security guard, as Lopez laughed.

Lopez later struck a calmer tone, saying: “My soul is a beacon. We have something to cherish being here. We’ve got life. It’s not about trying to be a thug in the streets.”