Shakur Stevenson received high praise from most of the boxing world for his recent victory over Teofimo Lopez but one legend from the sport wasn’t as impressed as everybody else.
Stevenson defeated Lopez by unanimous decision at Madison Square Garden in New York last month, winning the WBO super-lightweight title and becoming a four-division world champion in the process.
The 28-year-old dominated the action as the three judges all scored the bout 119-109 in his favour, as Lopez struggled to cope with his opponent’s ability.
Many big stars have commended Stevenson for his win, suggesting that he could go on to be one of the most exciting names in the entire sport, but Hall of Fame inductee James Toney doesn’t seem to agree with that sentiment.
Speaking to Fight Hub TV, Toney felt the win over Lopez was boring, insisting that Stevenson isn’t as impressive as he was during his own career.
“I saw the first six rounds. It was boring. He doesn’t do it like I did it. If he did it like I did, combinations and punches and putting stuff together, he would be exciting, but it was [boring]. He needs to get the dog in him.”
Toney was a three-division world champion during his illustrious career, one weight class fewer than what Stevenson has managed thus far.
‘Lights Out’ won 77 of his 92 fights, 47 of those by knockout, giving him a KO percentage of 61%. Stevenson is unbeaten at 25-0, with 11 wins by stoppage, with his KO percentage standing at 44%, and it appears Toney would want to see that improved in the future.