Boxing
Xander Zayas predicts Teofimo Lopez Jr. vs. Shakur Stevenson winner, pointing to this 'perfect' ability
Ring 6: López vs Stevenson on DAZN PPV - Saturday
The boxing world awaits the Ring 6 mega bout between WBO super lightweight world champion Teofimo Lopez Jr. and Shakur Stevenson at Madison Square Garden, live on DAZN PPV this Saturday. But it is not the only super fight slated for January 31.
Xander Zayas will share the spotlight Saturday night when he puts his WBO junior middleweight title against WBA titleholder Abass Baraou in a pivotal championship unification bout at Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Though Zayas, 23, is laser-focused on adding to his hardware in front of his home crowd, the youngest world champion in men’s boxing did take some time out to offer his prediction for Lopez vs. Stevenson.
“Man, I got Shakur. I got Shakur winning,” Zayas told DAZN News during a recent interview. “Shakur is just pure, man. He’s just a great fighter.
“Some people don’t see it but that’s the sweet sign of boxing — hit and don’t get hit,” he added. “And he’s perfect at that. He’s great at that.”
Zayas believes Lopez will make the fight intriguing, but highlights Stevenson’s ability to adapt in real time as a tough hurdle to overcome.
“His last fight, he fought the fighter at his own game and man, a lot of respect to Shakur,” Zayas tacked on, referring to how Stevenson stayed in the pocket to dominate a previously-undefeated William Zepeda last July.
“It’s going to be a great fight, don’t get me wrong,” he continued. “Teofimo Lopez is a good fighter too, he’s a great fighter, but Shakur is just different.”
The junior middleweight division that Zayas is part of could take further shape this weekend as IBF world champion Bakhram Murtazaliev is set to defend his title against Josh Kelly in Newcastle, England, and live on DAZN, on Saturday as well.
Watch López vs. Stevenson only on DAZN PPV
Teofimo López and Shakur Stevenson headline the Ring VI fight night in New York, exclusively on DAZN PPV, this Saturday, January 31.
Purchase as a one-off PPV, or get included at no extra cost with a DAZN Ultimate Tier subscription, which includes minimum of 12 PPV events per year, plus another 185 fight nights. Monthly and annual options available.
Sign up for Ultimate for £22.99 in the UK / $44.99 in the U.S. More details here.
