Negotiations for a January showdown between Shakur Stevenson and Teofimo Lopez are progressing in the right direction.
Stevenson, the reigning WBC lightweight champion, intends to move up to super lightweight to challenge Lopez for his WBO belt.
According to Boxing Scene, Stevenson has agreed to the terms presented to him by Saudi powerbroker Turki Alalshikh.
Lopez appears to be equally receptive, judging from his recent social media activity.
“I’ve already accepted the fight! I’ll see you the beginning of the year, Shakur Stevenson,” Lopez tweeted two weeks ago.
However, the Saudis are conscious of the fact that Lopez recently withdrew from talks to face Devin Haney on August 16.
Lopez last fought in May, when he beat Arnold Barboza Jr via a wide unanimous decision on the unprecedented Times Square card.
Stevenson, meanwhile, successfully defended his green and gold strap for a third time against William Zepeda in an enthralling fight.
The Olympic silver medallist could become a four-weight world champion with a win over Lopez, although he doesn’t intend to keep hold of the belt for long.
Stevenson’s master plan is to dethrone Lopez, move back down to 135lbs and allow his close friend Keyshawn Davis to fight for the vacant 140lbs crown.
“I’m going to beat Teo, get the [WBO super lightweight] title, and I’m going to vacate, and Keyshawn [Davis] can get the belt. That’ll be his belt,” Stevenson told TheDivineHook
“That’s Keyshawn’s division. I want him to go and do everything.
Lopez and Stevenson are close to completing their dealGetty“I’m a 135-pounder. I’m not a 140.”
Two-weight world champion Lopez has had a turbulent relationship with Alalshikh and was even told at one point that he would no longer be able to do business with the Chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority.
Speaking after the collapse of the Haney fight earlier this year, Alalshikh said of Lopez: “Let me tell you something, I don’t want to go into exact numbers or contract details.
“But here’s what I’ll say—if you don’t respect my country or my religion, you will not do business with me.”
Lopez has now been given a second crack at working with the Saudis after publicly apologising to Alalshikh for a string of disparaging tweets aimed at the boxing mogul.
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