The Breakfast Club – Shakur Stevenson Interview

Episode Title: INTERVIEW: Shakur Stevenson Talks Upcoming Boxing Match With Teofimo Lopez, Legacy, Jake Paul, Tank Davis + More
Date: December 12, 2025
Featuring: DJ Envy, Charlamagne Tha God, Jess Hilarious, Shakur Stevenson

Episode Overview

This episode features Shakur Stevenson, the undefeated boxing champion, ahead of his highly anticipated bout against Teofimo Lopez on January 31 at Madison Square Garden. Stevenson discusses the significance of the match, his approach to legacy, relationships and rivalries in boxing, and shares candid insights about the fight game, his career trajectory, and his views on other fighters, including Jake Paul, Tank Davis, and Devin Haney.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Teofimo Lopez Fight – Stakes & Strategy

Timestamp: 03:41–13:00

• Anticipation for a Big Name: Shakur describes this matchup as the pivotal moment he’s been waiting for his whole career:

  “Honestly, this a moment I've been kind of waiting for my whole career.” (Shakur, 04:04)

• Face-off and Press Conference Dynamics: Shakur comments on Teofimo’s current demeanor, noting a subdued attitude compared to the past:

  “I would rather see the version that...I been planning to fight for years.” (Shakur, 04:53)

• Mutual Respect Despite Trash Talk:

  “We should be thanking each other for the fact that we both said yes and we both hungry and want this moment.” (Shakur, 09:19)

• Making the Fight Happen: Stevenson reveals he and Lopez directly agreed to fight over the phone:

  “We actually got on the phone...and I appreciate him for keeping his word.” (Shakur, 09:35)

2. Styles, Strengths & Criticisms

Timestamp: 05:00–08:12; 25:41–27:21

• On Defense: Responding to Lopez’s claim that his defense is overrated:

  “He ain't been in there with me to know whether how good it is.” (Shakur, 06:40)

• Fighting Southpaws: Shakur points out Lopez’s mixed record with southpaw opponents, cautioning that Shakur is a different caliber:

  “But then you fought Jermaine Ortiz and Sandra Martin, and they are two southpaws who both gave you trouble.” (Shakur, 07:10)

• Silencing Critics:

  “Even if you watch Floyd ... people hated on him the entire time. But as soon as he retired, it's like, oh, he was the greatest.” (Shakur, 25:52)

3. Weight Classes & Legacy

Timestamp: 11:15–13:13

• Flexibility in Moving Weight:

  “Like, I could fight at 35, 40. I may give a little try at 47, just a little try because I'm little, right? So I'm gonna give it my shot.” (Shakur, 11:21)

• Legacy Motivation:

  “I want to be the best. Like, that's all I've been striving for since I started.” (Shakur, 14:00)

• Importance of Defeating Teofimo:

  “It take me to a whole nother level… you got to put me in that top five [pound-for-pound].” (Shakur, 12:20)

4. Boxing Politics: Belts & Recognition

Timestamp: 13:02–13:53

• Disputes Over "Undisputed" Title:

  “He deserved to be undisputed...they didn’t give him the undisputed thing.” (Shakur, 12:27) “Sounds like he hating...That sound like some hating.” (Shakur on Teofimo, 13:27)

• On Terence "Bud" Crawford’s Legacy:

  “At the end of the day, it's Bud. So now, like, bro, just give him his credit, bro.” (Shakur, 13:44)

5. Mind Games and Mental Preparation

Timestamp: 08:12–09:25; 23:11–24:11

• On Lopez’s Head Games:

  “Clearly he's not that smart, though, because if he was smart, he would have never said it. He would have just did it.” (Shakur, 08:27)

• Personal vs. Strategic Drive:

  “I don't try to take things personal, but it's personal for me. Like, it's in my personal life. I want to be the best.” (Shakur, 14:00)

• Mental Adjustments:

  “Both of us mentally is like, we always trying to please the fans and put on shows. And I think we gotta make sure that we locking in on our game plans.” (Shakur, 23:16)

6. Race, Rivalries & Media Narratives

Timestamp: 23:16–25:06

• Addressing Racial Controversies:

  “I think that Tio's not racist. I think that he's clout chasing.” (Shakur, 23:16)

• Alleged Banana/Watermelon Prank:

  “Hell no. I don't think he did that shit...I think that he trolled the internet during his fight week.” (Shakur, 24:49)

7. Future Fights & Potential Opponents

Timestamp: 21:31–23:10; 28:31–29:25

• On Tank Davis:

  “Yeah, I'm honestly done with that. ... I'm locked in. It's me and Tio. That's a big fight.” (Shakur, 21:42)

• Devin Haney and Connor Benn:

  “I would love to fight Devin...If he do, let's lock in.” (Shakur, 22:24) “Connor Benn ... I would want the same weight clause.” (Shakur, 22:43)

• On Ryan Garcia:

  “He's a good fighter...but if he talking about getting the ring with me, he better be focused.” (Shakur, 29:08)

8. Jake Paul, Women’s Boxing & the Spectacle

Timestamp: 19:13–21:14

• Jake Paul’s Impact:

  “If somebody couldn't come to a sport, women's boxing...they don't get no attention, they don't get no love...Jake Paul shines a light that's bright on them female fighters.” (Shakur, 19:36) “I respect him as a fighter because he's working hard.” (Shakur, 20:16)

• Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua:

  “AJ been boxing for so long, Olympic gold medalist, he should go in there and just wipe him. But we’ll see.” (Shakur, 21:19)

9. Favorite Fighters & Looking Ahead

Timestamp: 29:25–31:01

• On Bud Crawford’s Future:

  “If I'm Bud Crawford, I'm the greatest. What am I doing? I already proved y' all everything. Like, there's nothing else to prove y' all no more.” (Shakur, 29:44)

• Shakur’s Own Ambitions:

  “Give me, like, two years...I think we on the verge.” (Shakur, 30:16)

• Favorite Boxer Outside Bud:

  “Baval. I think Baval is one of the hardest fighters to beat…” (Shakur, 30:28)

10. The Lopez Matchup: What Fans Get Wrong

Timestamp: 31:01–31:53

• On Fan Perceptions:

  “Tio’s a good boxer. He's boxer first...Also, the biggest thing that everybody don't realize. With me, I could punch...then, boom, crack somebody, and then they laying down or something may happen.” (Shakur, 31:07)

• On Shakur’s Power:

  “Everybody say, oh, he can't punch. And then, boom, crack somebody, and then they laying down...” (Shakur, 31:30)

• Timothy Bradley’s Prediction:

  “He said he feel like you can hurt Tio.” (DJ Envy, 31:46)
  “I can. I can.” (Shakur, 31:51)

11. Final Thoughts

Timestamp: 32:09–32:33

• Stevenson affirms he’s fully locked in on the Lopez fight, skipping other major boxing events to focus:

  “I'm in. I'm locked. Like, this is the biggest fight of my career, bro. Like, I gotta be at a different level than I've been in the past.” (Shakur, 32:13)

• Appreciation expressed all around and encouragement to tune into the fight.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “People shouldn't dictate who you are... Just be yourself.” — Shakur Stevenson (05:09)
• “He ain't been in there with me to know whether how good it is.” — Shakur Stevenson on Lopez’s criticism of his defense (06:40)
• “It's personal for me. Like, it's in my personal life. I want to be the best.” — Shakur Stevenson (14:00)
• "I want to eat forever.” — Shakur Stevenson, on providing for his family beyond legacy (18:52)
• “I respect him as a fighter because he's working hard to get to where he's at.” — Shakur Stevenson on Jake Paul (20:16)
• “I'm locked in. It's me and Tio. That's a big fight. That’s legacy making fight.” — Shakur Stevenson (21:42)
• "Both of us mentally... we always trying to please the fans... [but] the person with the best game plan is the going to come out on top.” — Shakur Stevenson (23:16)
• “If I'm Bud Crawford, I'm the greatest. What am I doing? I already proved y’ all everything.” — Shakur Stevenson (29:44)
• "Give me, like, two years [to be pound-for-pound #1]." — Shakur Stevenson (30:16)

Timestamps by Topic

| Segment | Topic | Timestamp | |---------|-------|-----------| | 1 | Fight Announcement & Lead-Up | 03:41–05:09 | | 2 | Teofimo’s Style & Mindset | 05:09–07:46 | | 3 | Mutual Respect, Legacy Stakes | 07:46–09:19 | | 4 | Fight Negotiations & Legacy | 09:25–13:13 | | 5 | Boxing Politics (Belts, Recognition) | 13:02–13:53 | | 6 | Weight Class Choices | 11:15–12:15 | | 7 | Jake Paul, Women’s Boxing | 19:13–21:19 | | 8 | Tank Davis, Devin Haney, Connor Benn | 21:31–23:10 | | 9 | Mental Adjustments & Media Narratives | 23:11–25:41 | | 10 | Style Criticism & Defensive Genius | 25:41–27:21 | | 11 | Ryan Garcia & Bud Crawford | 28:31–29:44 | | 12 | Next-Gen Fighters, Pound-for-Pound | 29:44–31:46 | | 13 | Final Fight Hypothesis | 31:01–31:53 | | 14 | Outro – Dedication & Gratitude | 32:09–32:33 |

Tone and Style

The conversation flows with high energy, candidness, and the competitive edge characteristic of boxing culture, peppered with mutual respect among fighters. There’s a blend of humor—especially when discussing Jake Paul—and seriousness when focusing on legacy, mental strength, and providing for family.

Summary Prepared For: Listeners who want all the insights from Shakur Stevenson’s in-depth Breakfast Club interview, covering his mindset, fight strategy, candid thoughts on opponents, legacy, and the state of modern boxing—all without having to listen to the entire episode.