Shakur Stevenson clashes with rival Conor Benn after outclassing Teofimo Lopez

Shakur Stevenson and bitter rival Conor Benn went nose-to-nose merely minutes after the former brutally outclassed Teofimo Lopez on Saturday night

Shakur Stevenson and Conor Benn exchanged words in the ring following the former’s historic win over Teofimo Lopez.

Lopez was putting his 140lb title on the line against the young pound-for-pound star – who was looking to strike gold in a fourth division. Heading into the contest in New York, many were left split as to who would come out on top. But in front of a sell-out crowd at Madison Square Garden, it was Stevenson who took the fight by the scruff of the neck.

The 28-year-old showcased his superior skill set right from the opening bell. In recent times, the boxing faithful have demanded that little more from Stevenson. The American has produced some underwhelming performances since turning professional back in 2017.

But in what was a real career-defining fight for the New Jersey native, Stevenson shone when the lights were at their brightest, as he ultimately triumphed to become a four-weight world champion. He wasted no time in expressing what’s next after calling for a fight with Benn. The two stars have traded barbs over the last few months, and the ‘Destroyer’ – fresh off his victory over Chris Eubank Jr – was ringside for Stevenson’s dust-up with Lopez.

WARNING – CONTAINS STRONG LANGUAGE

“But hold up, hold up! There’s a fighter right now, and he motivated me to. Where’s Conor Benn?” said Stevenson. “Eh, Conor Benn, we better get banging boy. We got to get banging, boy. I want that same rehydration clause that you put on (Chris) Eubank Jr and I want to fight.” It was at that moment that an energetic and pumped up Benn strutted into the ring, before insisting that his rival was too small for him.

“You are too small for me. You are tiny,” Benn retorted. “My skills is too much,” Stevenson replied. Benn, though, refused to back down. “You cannot punch. You cannot keep me off you,” he explained. “I will rough you up. I will put you down.” Stevenson continued to attempt to rattle his adversary by demanding that he sign the contract. While both men were left shaking their heads at each other throughout the majority of the frosty interaction, they did agree on one thing, though. “Oi, Turki (Alalshikh) let’s get this fight done. We can do it next,” screamed Benn – much to Stevenson’s delight as he rather excitedly shook his head repeatedly.

“You think I am scared of you? You cannot box for s***, man,” continued Benn. “Let’s make it happen. Keep talking. Let’s make it happen,” replied Stevenson. “Eddie (Hearn), I want him!” Benn – much to the surprise of no one – continued to trade barbs with his foe. “Come up to welterweight with the big dogs. You are a small guy. You are a little man,” he said, as Stevenson replied: “I will pick you apart, too.” The ringside reporter then proceeded to chime in and attempt to de-escalate the situation, but neither were having any of it. “We will see. You are already making excuses,” continued Benn. “This guy (Benn) is delusional. You said he (Lopez) was going to beat me,” replied Stevenson. Their verbal spat ended after the British star sent his American rival a stern warning. “You are right. It’s your night. But I will whoop your a** next.”

READ MORE: Hassan Azim desperate to make up for lost time after injury hellREAD MORE: Josh Kelly vows to get one over on ex-teammate Jordan Pickford

Just minutes earlier, Stevenson had just wrapped up a 12 round clash with Lopez. One in which he dominated, as Lopez only won just one rounds on the judges’ scorecards – which read: 119-109 x3. It was a rather tense and nervy affair in the opening exchanges as both men tried to work each other out.

But it was the smaller man who controlled the early exchanges with his jab work. Lopez was caught off guard in the fourth after absorbing a stinging shot to the body. Stevenson was well and truly making a statement in New York as he was very much eager to silence his naysayers once and for all.

Lopez showed signs of a potential resurgence in the eighth, having resorted to attacking the body more in a bid to ruffle his composed rival’s feathers. But the pendulum swung once again in Stevenson’s favour as blood began to pour down from the eye of ‘The Takeover’ in the ninth stanza.

MORE TO FOLLOW…