INTERVIEW: Shakur Stevenson Talks Upcoming Boxing Match With Teofimo Lopez, Legacy, Jake Paul, Tank Davis +More

Summary

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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

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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.

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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.

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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)

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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 |

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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.

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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.

Transcript

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[Shakur Stevenson]

Every day I wake up. Wake your ass up.

[DJ Envy]

The Breakfast Club.

[Shakur Stevenson]

Morning, everybody. It's DJ Envy. Just hilarious. Charlemagne the guy. We are the breakfast club. Lon LaRose is here and so is our guy Ock. And we got a special guest in the building. Shakur Stevenson. Welcome, brother. What up, what up, what up? How you feeling? I'm great. Fight the 31st. Yeah, yeah. 31st of January, Madison Square Garden. Yep, yep, yep. We ready, bro. Let's jump right into it. So how you feeling fighting Teofimo? What do you think it's going to be? Honestly, this a moment I've been kind of waiting for my whole career.

[DJ Envy]

You're waiting on that big name. You finally got one.

[Shakur Stevenson]

Yeah, it's like I've been kind of like, pushing since I started. I want to fight the best fighters. So now in this situation, I kind of reached out and I kind of set it up to where we kind of made this happen. And Tio accepted the challenge. So I respect him for it. Now, we seen Tio earlier and I was watching that, it didn't seem like regular teal.

[DJ Envy]

But you wanted to call you a monkey or something.

[Shakur Stevenson]

I'll punch him in his shit. I just know he's usually more like rah rah. Right now he kind of like. That's why I asked him, does he still love.

[DJ Envy]

Well, he said he gonna turn up at the press conference. He did say that.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

He did say that.

[Shakur Stevenson]

Nah. Yeah, we gotta see. But I don't like that version. I would rather see the version that kind of I been planning to fight for years.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yeah, but people be complaining about that version. Like, he's saying, wow, shit, it's too wild. It's too crazy. So I guess people forced him to be this new version.

[Shakur Stevenson]

Yeah, but people shouldn't dictate who you are. Like, if you a real man, bro, at the end of the day, bro, just be yourself. And whether they like you or love you, ain't nothing gonna change, bro, as long as the people around you love you.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

So he tried to throw a shot at you about that same topic, saying that Shakur lets the people get to him and that's why he forced to pay to the way he did. Do you agree with that to some degree?

[Shakur Stevenson]

Hell, no. I think that Zapita got a style to where if Tio fought Zepeda, you'll.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Have to fight him.

[Shakur Stevenson]

Like, he probably would have to fight him the same way. I never seen him in front of that kind of style throughout his whole career. Now, he fought some good fighters, but honestly, his best opponent was Lomachenko. And I feel like. I'm not gonna say. I'm not gonna take away credit from him, but I feel as though Lomachenko ain't throwing no punches for six rounds. So it's like, I can't really tell, like, how good you is. I don't know what happened with Lomachenko.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

But do you think something he did maybe had Loma hesitant?

[Shakur Stevenson]

I don't know. I wasn't in there to know whether, like, what happened. But I just know for a fact that Loma started the fight in the second half, and when he did, I thought he took over the second half of the fight. So it's hard to say to give him that much credit for being Lama.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

So you think Loma won that fight or no?

[Shakur Stevenson]

I thought T.L. won a fight.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Okay.

[Shakur Stevenson]

I wanna say he won the first seven rounds, right?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Okay.

[Shakur Stevenson]

And maybe even won the 12th.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

He definitely won the 12th. Yeah.

[DJ Envy]

Tio said that your defense isn't as elite as people think it is.

[Shakur Stevenson]

It's an impeccable.

[DJ Envy]

He's. I disagree with him, but he said he don't think it's as impeccable as people think it is.

[Shakur Stevenson]

I mean, he ain't been in there with me to know whether how good it is. Good sparring ain't gonna tell. We did three rounds, that shit ain't. He couldn't barely hit me then. So I'm not taking nothing from the sparring, but he don't know whether how good I am. Like, you don't know how good my defense is until come January 31st. He pretty much said, yes style of boxing. He said he's beat hundreds of fighters with your style.

[DJ Envy]

Box. 200 southpaws. 200 southpaws.

[Shakur Stevenson]

So he said, it's light work, man. That's the thing where he gotta, like, pay attention to. Because, like, yeah, you did good with some southpaws, but then there are southpaws you did bad with. So it's not just, okay, I beat Lomachenko and Josh Taylor. But then you fought Jermaine Ortiz and Sandra Martin, and they are two southpaws who both gave you trouble.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

So that's a good point.

[Shakur Stevenson]

They give them confidence to beat them bigger guys that got the bigger names. But his confidence went down when he fought them other guys. So truthfully, all that southpaw, that sound good, but what you gonna do and get in front of me? I'm not none of them guys.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

He did say that on paper, you're his toughest test. Do you feel the same way?

[Shakur Stevenson]

Yeah. Hell yeah. We both know what we dealing with. Like, I know he the truth. He know I'm the truth. When I sat there, I watched him in Times Square. He was doing a lot of like, Roy Jones, kind of like, he put his hands down, do the little flashy stuff. So I know the truth. I think he's the guy and I appreciate him because he's the guy who's going to take me to that next level.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Right.

[Podcast Host]

I know y' all headed into this presser press conference. He said also too, about getting in your head. Like, that's his thing, because he feels like you let people get in your head. How do you turn like that? You're not going to shake the confidence you have right now when y' all face to face. And then you got some things that are going to come before the fight.

[Shakur Stevenson]

I mean, clearly he's not that smart, though, because if he was smart, he would have never said it. He would have just did it. So being that he's saying it now you're telling me it's like, okay, now I gotta be on the lookout for, okay, cool. I just keep my head together.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Like, revealed his head.

[Shakur Stevenson]

He was smart. He would have just did it. So truthfully, that ain't gonna bother me. I don't. I know that come fight night, long as I come at my best and he come at his best, we gonna get the best versions of ourselves and whoever best is gonna win that night.

[DJ Envy]

Are you surprised he agreed to the fight?

[Shakur Stevenson]

Not really. Not really. Honestly, he wanted on fighters who I think that really believe in theyself. And you could tell, like, deep down, he's been waiting for opportunity just as much as me. So I think in this instance, only thing that I would say, we should be thanking each other for the fact that we both said yes and we both hungry and want this moment. So I ain't surprised.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

You know, when Floyd fought Pacquiao, they had to run into each other and they had to actually talk about it amongst themselves. You and Tio actually have a real conversation before everybody else get involved, like, yo, let's. Let's fight, bro.

[Shakur Stevenson]

We did, we did. We actually got on the phone. Tio kind of was trying to let me know that he was getting other options. And he basically told me that the option that he wanted to fight was me. And I'm like, okay, that's the option that I want to fight too. So I had other options on the table too.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Both of you had different options, but.

[Shakur Stevenson]

Yeah, but once we got on the phone, we kind of locked it in and we stuck with what we said, and I appreciate him for keeping his word.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Can you tell me what options were those that you turned down? What fighters you.

[Shakur Stevenson]

I ain't turn down no, not like that.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

But who you picked Tio over Lamar Roach. Okay. So that was on paper before.

[Shakur Stevenson]

I wanted to fight Lamont, me, and Lamont was the fight to really make happen. But the teal fight was bigger. It was a bigger, better opportunity. So I went and took the teal fight over the Lamar fight. What do you think about Roach's last fight? I thought he won. I thought he may have. Should never let off the gas in them last two rounds. But I thought when you see Pitbull get on the back foot and start boxing and thinking that he's winning a boxing match, I think that right there should let it be known that Lamont Roach is winning this fight. So when you like. So you picked Teo over Lamont. So I don't know how it works. Like, you can't fight Lamont now. Yeah, I could fight him after I beat Teo, but like I said, it's so many options on the table now to where it's like, even with this to fight, it's going to open doors for other fights to happen. So it's hard to even say if Lamont will be next. I would love for Lamont to be next. I think that that's a big fight. That's something that me and him talked about, and I'm actually real cool With Lamont, so I would love for that fight to happen, but we'll see when the opportunity presents itself.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yeah, he talked about on this show about wanting to fight you, but. So are you done at 135? Because this fight is at 140. Are you going back down?

[Shakur Stevenson]

Yo, I'm probably going to go down, probably going to go up. Yo, I'm so good at this. 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. But like, truthfully, I'm not a 47 pounder, but I'm so good to where.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

You could deal with that, carry out.

[Shakur Stevenson]

These weight classes, so.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yeah, but how do you feel at one, like 40? I mean, obviously you're not at fight there yet, but is there like an ease in your mind where I could eat a little bit more? I don't have to work that hard home.

[DJ Envy]

Right there.

[Shakur Stevenson]

Yeah, right there. Nah, it's. It's the same thing, bro. Cause it's like at 35, I could eat whatever. Like, I was, I was barely cutting weight, so now it's like I'm barely, barely gonna have to cut weight. So truthfully, it's like just feel good and enjoy this feeling because at 30 and 26, that was hard.

[DJ Envy]

What does beating Tiafimo do for your legacy beyond belts and rankings and all?

[Shakur Stevenson]

I think it take me to a whole nother level. I think on that pound for pound list, like, you got to put me in that top five. Like, I gotta be one of them guys in the top five at the IBTO is one of them guys. I felt like Tio should have been undisputed. He deserved to be undisputed. When all of that stuff happened with Limichenko and he won that fight, they didn't give him the undisputed thing, but he should have been. But just to be the guy that's so accomplished, like this guy had four belts and then went up to 1:40 and then won the belt there, then had the ring magazine belt at 140. So this, this guy's accomplished. He's an accomplished fighter and one of the best fighters that's gonna be in my resume.

[DJ Envy]

I don't understand all that sanction, man, because to me, I'm just watching the fights. If you win, you win. Like when I saw Bud talking about that the other week, I'm like, I didn't know people weren't recognizing him as the people.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

What? It's just One belt that. Just one belt that technically, like, Tio was saying. I'm not sure if you saw that part where he shouldn't. Tio said Buzz shouldn't be undisputed, technically, because he didn't pay that fee. So on paper, even though the world.

[Shakur Stevenson]

Sounds like he hating, he. That. That sound like some hating.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Well, he's referring back to what happened with him with Loma. He's like, same thing happened to me. People wouldn't consider me undisputed.

[Shakur Stevenson]

Yeah. But at the end of the day, it's like, it did happen to you, and it's fucked up. It's not a good situation.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

And he wanted to be called Undisputed. So why we say the same thing about.

[Shakur Stevenson]

At the end of the day, it's bud. So now, like, bro, just give him his credit, bro.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Ain't nobody call him undisputed.

[Shakur Stevenson]

We know he was undisputed. So it's like a need nothing to talk about.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yeah.

[DJ Envy]

Do you view this fight as, like, personal strategic, or legacy driven?

[Shakur Stevenson]

I think it's all three. It's all three. Now. 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. Like, that's all I've been striving for since I started.

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[Shakur Stevenson]

All.

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As always, it's classic HBCU energy. Nonstop action. The band is rocking and the crowd lit. Chants echoing, drums beating everybody showing that school pride. Moments like this, yeah, they call for a nice, cold Coca Cola. Crisp and refreshing. That's a game changer right there. Yeah, that taste always hit the right note. Just like the band at halftime. Passionate fans, school colors everywhere, and an ice cold Coca Cola. That's a winning combo. No matter the place, no matter the moment, everybody knows fan work is thirsty work. So grab a Coca Cola and keep that HBCU pride going.

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If you're looking for a gift that's more than just a toy, give them something that inspires confidence and adventure all year long. Give them a Guardian bike, the easiest, safest and number one kids bike on the market. With USA Made Kids Specific frames and patented safety technology, kids are learning to ride in just one day. No training wheels needed. It's why Guardian is America, America's favorite kids bike and the New York Times and Wirecutter's top pick three years in a row. This holiday season, Guardian is offering their biggest deal of the year. Up to 40% in savings on all bikes plus $100 in free accessories. Guardian bikes have become the most sought after gifts of the season and inventory is going fast. So don't wait. Join over half a million happy families who've discovered the magic of Guardian. Shop [e-mail] that's guardianbikes.com.

[Podcast Host]

Run a business and not thinking about radio? Think again because more people are listening to the radio and Iheart today than they were 20 years ago. And only Iheart broadcast radio connects with more Americans than tv, digital, social, any other media, even twice as many teens than TikTok. And that reach means everything. Just think about the universal marketing formula. The number of consumers who hear your message times the response rate equals the results. Now let's get those results growing for your business. Radio's here now more than ever. And iheart's leading the way. Think radio can help your business. Think iheart streaming, podcasting, and radio where the reach is real. Let us show [e-mail] that's iheartadvertising.com or call 844-844. Iheart one more time. Just call 844-844-Iheart and get radio working for you.

[Shakur Stevenson]

Did this. So now it's just like the legacy I know gonna come with it. Strategy is gonna be on point to where I make sure I gotta follow the game plan come fight night. But personally, for me and my kid, for me and my family, like, I want to just. I want to eat forever.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Is this the biggest payday you gotten so far?

[Shakur Stevenson]

For sure. No question.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I got to ask you about Jake Paul. Cause you spent some time in camp with him, sparring with him. I think you and Keyshawn did as well. You know what I'm saying? No, boy. He was there with y', all, right?

[Shakur Stevenson]

Yeah, for sure.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

So most people that haven't spent time around Jake have an issue with him fighting fighters, I'm saying. But once they spend some time around him, they have a different perspective of who he is. Is that your experience with Jake?

[Shakur Stevenson]

I've been around before. I already had a view of, like, he's really a cool dude, right? People could talk about him, but if somebody couldn't come to a sport to where, like women's boxing, let's speak for example, with them, they don't get no attention, they don't get no love. And they deserve it, right? And then Jake Paul shines a light that's bright on them female fighters, and now they making millions of dollars. It's like, at the end of the day, you gotta respect him for moving into a lane and. And helping out somewhere where it was weak at. You gotta respect him as a person, too. I think Jake Paul's a real.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

And as a fighter, though, too. I mean, what about that?

[Shakur Stevenson]

I mean, I'm. I respect him as a fighter because he's working hard to get to where he's at.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

So has he gotten better, though?

[Shakur Stevenson]

Like, hell, yeah. Yeah, yeah, for sure. From where he started to now, he's way better.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

How did it. Did he feel? Did he have power? Did you. Did he touch you in a ring? Like, how did that feel? Like, what was that?

[Richard Sherman]

Like?

[Shakur Stevenson]

I remember him, like, catching me, like, catching my glove, right? And when he caught my glove, I'm like, oh, he's heavy. Yeah, he's like 200 some pounds. So you're gonna feel it.

[DJ Envy]

But that ain't gonna do nothing to AJ.

[Shakur Stevenson]

AJ, 260. I'm one. How can he tell y'?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

All? So he ain't got a shot against aj. AJ gonna kill him, in other words.

[Shakur Stevenson]

I don't know. I don't know. We'll see. I'm room for both fighters. I'm a fan of Jake Paul, so I can't go against that dude. Like, it's hard for me.

[DJ Envy]

I feel you. 100. I respect what he's done for women's boxing. I've gone to some of the MVP fights for women's boxing, but he gonna get killed.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

It's a real fight.

[DJ Envy]

And AJ ain't holding back.

[Podcast Host]

He's.

[DJ Envy]

It's.

[Pharmaceutical Advertiser]

Come on.

[DJ Envy]

But I respect his heart getting in.

[Shakur Stevenson]

The ring with aj. I do think when it comes down to it, with AJ been boxing for so long, Olympic gold medalist, he should go in there and just wipe him. But we'll see, we'll see come fight night.

[Podcast Host]

Is Tank still. I know that was like a fight for you, but there's been so much him not fighting Jake Paul at this point and just, you know, like, is that even something you even, like, care about at this point with what you about to do with Lopez?

[Shakur Stevenson]

Yeah, I'm honestly done with that. I ain't really got too much to say on that because it's like, it's a lose, lose situation. Like, it's a lot of people that just hate me to hate me, but they don't really understand the situation of the fact. So it's like, when you speak on this, like, you shine a light to the situation. So I ain't really talking about it, but I'm locked in. It's me and Tio. That's a big fight. That's legacy making fight, and I just can't wait to show who I am.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

And those top names at 35 was. It was obviously Tank, Devin, Tio, you bout to fight one of them, right? This fight that we wanted for years is about to happen. So is Devin on your list next? So you could keep going on that list?

[Shakur Stevenson]

I would love to fight Devin. I would love to fight Devin. Only thing is, because a lot of people kind of compare me saying that I fight Conor Ben with Devin Haney, and I understand it. But the thing that I say, even with Connor Ben, I would want the same weight clause as he put on.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yeah, yeah.

[Shakur Stevenson]

And that's what I want Come fight night with Connor Ben. Now when I go up to 47 with Devin is he's gonna allow the same weight clause. Like, it's. It becomes a business, right? Like how we gonna do this fight and if he do, let's lock in game.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

So. So Connor Ben is still on the list. As long as there's a rehydration, I.

[Shakur Stevenson]

Think should be next. But I'm not trying to look past Tio.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Right. No doubt.

[Shakur Stevenson]

Like, teal is really the main thing that's on my mind. But I'm just answering the questions for y'.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

All.

[DJ Envy]

What mental adjustments. Mental adjustments are you making specifically for Tio?

[Shakur Stevenson]

I think we both got a lot of mental adjustments to make because both of us mentally is like, we always trying to please the fans and put on shows for the fans. And I think we gotta make sure that we locking in on our game plans. And the person with the best game plan is the going to come out on top. What do you feel about all the. The racism thing that's been coming around around him in the last couple of months? Y. I don't believe it. I don't believe it. Like, I think that Tio's not racist. I think that he's clout chasing. Like, that's what I really seen from it. Like, it's a guy who's been looked past his whole career and he's doing anything to get some type of spotlight on him. And that's what I kind of seen from the situation. Cause I known Tio for years and years. He ain't never really been no racist person. So now that's what he just said, though.

[DJ Envy]

He said that he was like, I'm just trying to cause chaos because trying to sell these fights.

[Shakur Stevenson]

He want to be in the spotlight. Like, people look past him. Like, even in this situation, the fight was not going to happen. Like, this was a fight that wasn't going to happen until I'm like, yo, boom. I'm looking through the playing field right before my last fight. I'm like, Tio and I kind of told the higher powers and the people in the position that me and Tio's a fight. That's the biggest fight. They really ain't want to. Ain't no damn. Like, truthfully, like. But, you know, like I said, I appreciate him for saying yes and he appreciate me for making it happen.

[DJ Envy]

He said he didn't send the watermelons and bananas to Kishan's locker room. You believe that?

[Shakur Stevenson]

Hell no. I don't think he did that shit.

[Pharmaceutical Advertiser]

For real?

[Shakur Stevenson]

Nah, I don't think he did that.

[DJ Envy]

Oh, wow.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Wow.

[Shakur Stevenson]

I think that he trolled the Internet during his fight week where it's like, with the banana. But I don't think he sent it to his room, though.

[DJ Envy]

Who you think did it?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Listen, some people were saying. Some people saying that top. You already heard the rumors about Top Rank did it themselves to create some. Some motion. No, I know it is crazy, but he. He said that Tio said that on our show. Like, I think they did it. You say, you know, you know.

[Shakur Stevenson]

No, I don't know. Hell no, I don't know. But I. I told him who I think it is. Like, you could make your own speculation. So. Yeah. So press conference today. He got a banana. Keyshawn, you jumping out of. You jumping on him, huh? Soon as you see, they told me to chill, so I got to chill.

[DJ Envy]

You've had critics say your style is too safe. Other people call you a defensive genius. Does this fight give you the chance to silence people who question you, period, and your offensive output?

[Shakur Stevenson]

Nah, because at the end of the day, they still gonna say something. Like, when somebody really got hatred for somebody and they hate you. Even if you watch Floyd, entire career, people hated on him the entire time. But as soon as he retired, it's like, oh, he was the greatest. But, like, during his career, it's like, oh, he's boring. He runs. He. Blah, blah, blah. But if you actually watch the fights, he wasn't running. He wasn't. Yeah, Moving all around the ring. He had. He just showed skills. He had defense. He didn't get hit. He didn't take unnecessary punishment. So with me, I think it's kind of similar. Like, I ain't worried about what they say. They gonna say something today, and then they gonna say something tomorrow, so.

[DJ Envy]

Oh, they might say something during the fight. I saw that with Haney. Devin Haney's last fight, second round, of course, he looked amazing right at 147drop, dude. But then it was like. But the rest of the fight, he was born. Y' all watched it in real time. Like, literally in real time. It's like, oh, born. Devin's back. I'm like, God damn, you looking great.

[Shakur Stevenson]

You know what's boring to people, though? It's boring when you watch it and it's so easy. Like, when Devin's just making it easy, it ain't really like, it's nothing. Coming back to where it's danger. Now, if he got hit with a big shot, they'll be, oh, this is the best Devin fight I ever seen in my life.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Were you impressed with Devin's performance?

[Shakur Stevenson]

Yeah, I thought Devin looked good. I thought early on he did what he was supposed to do. I think later on he could have stepped on the gas a little bit more. But, like, that's everybody, you know, in these fights, you just gotta make sure you succeed at the end of the day. And I think that's what he was focused on.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Look, Eddie Hearn, obviously, you work with him and you work with him. He threw some shots at Devin after the fight saying that, yeah, he don't want to engage. And Eddie Hearn promoted Devin Haney. How do you feel about him now, throwing a shot at him like that?

[Shakur Stevenson]

I think it's a business. So at the end of the day, during business, it's a lot of things that's going to be said when somebody is not working for you. So I think in that aspect, Devin and Eddie's not working together. So if they was together, he wouldn't have said that. He probably wouldn't.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

He would have said a master class.

[Shakur Stevenson]

Nah. But you know what's crazy, though? Out of all the promoters I've been telling y', all, this is not stand by this. I think Eddie is actually a good promoter.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

He's a good person too, for sure.

[DJ Envy]

Do you feel more pressure to win or to dominate?

[Shakur Stevenson]

Dominate. I gotta go in there and, like, y' all gotta know I'm winning this fight. I don't like being in them fights to where it's like you don't know who's winning. Like, when you watch Lamont and Pitbull, it's some casuals that don't know who's winning the fight. But if you really paying attention, you could tell, like, Lamont, is this your.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

First time at the Big Garden fighting?

[Shakur Stevenson]

No, I fought here under Bud on.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Oh, yeah.

[Shakur Stevenson]

Back in the day. Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

So you and Ryan Garcia switching gears. I saw Yalls exchange. You really hate him in real life?

[Shakur Stevenson]

No, no, all of my life.

[Podcast Host]

All my life.

[Shakur Stevenson]

Nah, it was more so, like, you see somebody and like they say, some slick and you gotta still let them know, like, who you is. Like, they still gotta know, like, bro, I ain't. This ain't nothing new, bro. Like, I'm still that same person I've been. So it's like us just reuniting same and it's just reunited.

[Podcast Host]

I thought he was kind of like trying to give you a little bit of, like.

[Shakur Stevenson]

He gave me credit, yeah.

[Richard Sherman]

He gave you the credit.

[Shakur Stevenson]

I gave him credit, too.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. Okay.

[Shakur Stevenson]

I give him credit. He's a good fighter. I think that with Ryan, when he's focused, he's a really good fighter. But if it's like he got all these outside the ring things going on, you gonna get a bad version of him. But with me, if he talking about getting the ring with me, he better be focused.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I gotta ask you about Bud real quick. There are rumors about him fighting Canelo again. A rematch. I don't know. How true is that? I know that's your bro, Big bro. What do you think Bud should do? Like, if it was up to you. Cause he's done everything in the sport, right? Should he hang it up or should he retire? Retire right now.

[Shakur Stevenson]

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.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Right.

[Shakur Stevenson]

I beat all the guys that y' all said I couldn't beat.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

But if there's another 70, 100 million, that's home to a nice business aspect.

[Shakur Stevenson]

Yeah, that's cool. But, like, for, like, if accomplished accomplishments, it's like, I did everything. What am I doing? We go fight Canelo again. He can't beat me. The only thing that's gonna happen. I may stop him this time, like, if I'm him.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Right?

[Pharmaceutical Advertiser]

Right.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Once he hangs it up, how long before Shakur is that number one pound for pound fighter in the world?

[Shakur Stevenson]

Give me, like, two years.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Two years.

[Shakur Stevenson]

I think we on the verge. I think everything is happening the way it's supposed to happen. So just keep tuning in.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Who's your favorite fighter outside of Bud? Right now?

[Shakur Stevenson]

Right now in boxing? Baval.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Bavar.

[Shakur Stevenson]

Baval. I think Baval is, like one of the hardest fighters to beat. To beat because he's so basic and he mastered the fundamentals of boxing. He don't just got. He keep his hands up, he keep his 1, 2 going. He got great feet work. So he don't just stand right there in front of guys all night. He's moving all around, and I think he's. To me, besides myself, I think he's the best boxer.

[DJ Envy]

You know, people think the. The fight with Teo is either going to be you delivering a masterclass or.

[Shakur Stevenson]

A knockout by Tio.

[DJ Envy]

Yeah. Are you getting into some type of brawl with Tio and end up getting knocked out? Right. What are fans getting wrong about the matchup?

[Shakur Stevenson]

I think the fans is getting wrong about the matchup is what. I'm not sleeping on that. I know about Tio. Tio's a good boxer. He's boxer first, so we could say, oh, he's just going to knock you out. Or he's just gonna. That's not him. He's boxing first. He's going to want to establish distance and range on the outside and try to beat me up on the outside. So I think that's the main thing and also the biggest thing that everybody don't realize. With me, I could punch. Everybody say, oh, he can't punch. And then, boom, Crack somebody, and then they laying down or something may happen to where they hurt or something like that. So I think that's two big things where they don't understand or know.

[DJ Envy]

Timothy Bradley said he feel like you gonna hurt. He said he feel like you can hurt Tio.

[Shakur Stevenson]

I can. I can.

[DJ Envy]

He said, you got the style to hurt him.

[Shakur Stevenson]

I can. I can. I can catch him with something he don't see, but he just better be paying attention all night.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

O.C.

[Shakur Stevenson]

You better get up out of here.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Wait real quick, though. I know you trained.

[Shakur Stevenson]

I got a flight. That's why I said, daddy, I got a flight.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

You going to Jake Paul versus Anthony Joshua. You going to the fight?

[Shakur Stevenson]

When is it?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

He said eight days or something.

[Shakur Stevenson]

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.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yeah, I'm excited about this one.

[Shakur Stevenson]

Yeah, we appreciate you for joining us. The 31st is the fight. January. We wish you the best, brother. Appreciate y', all, too.

[DJ Envy]

Yes, sir.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

All right.

[Shakur Stevenson]

It's the Breakfast Club. It's your core, Stevenson.

[DJ Envy]

Every day, I wake up.

[Shakur Stevenson]

Wake your ass up. The Breakfast Club. Finish or y' all done.

[Richard Sherman]

This is Richard Sherman from the Richard Sherman Podcast. Let me tell you about Ready or Not, the tactical first person shooter, where you take command of a SWAT team and feel the weight of the badge. Recently, I reunited with my Legion of Boom teammates, Cliff Averill, Cam Chancer, Michael Bennett, and Walter Thurman. We partnered with Ready or Not to go through actual SWAT training and film the whole experience. Watch it now at the Richard Sherman Podcast YouTube channel. Here's what makes this game different. It's not just mindless run and gun. Just like the Legion of Boom, built an elite defense on strategy and teamwork. Ready or not demands the same mentality. You're commanding a SWAT team, clearing rooms, protecting civilians, making tactical calls as a coordinated team with 18 missions that challenge you in completely different ways. Every operation demands that same discipline and and teamwork. Best part? Try it for free for a limited time on PlayStation and Xbox. Go solo or squad up with five players in full crossplay support. If you want strategic, high stakes action that rewards elite tactics and fast thinking, then this is the game for you. Try Ready or Not for free today on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X.

[Pharmaceutical Advertiser]

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[Podcast Host]

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