Shakur Stevenson, Teofimo Lopez separated after heated press conference clash

Shakur Stevenson vs Teofimo Lopez slipped out of script at the final press conference, with a sharp exchange turning physical for a second and exposing how thin the line is between talk and action heading into Saturday night.

The flare-up came late on Thursday at Madison Square Garden. Lopez made a crude remark as the trash talk dragged on. Stevenson stepped forward and appeared to try a slap before security and both teams rushed in. No punches landed. Lopez stayed put, smiling through it, while Stevenson kept shouting as bodies filled the space between them.

The tone had already shifted minutes earlier. Stevenson handed Lopez a bottle of alcohol at the podium, making clear it was meant for Lopez’s father. Lopez reacted, the room tightened, and the verbal exchange picked up speed. Once the fighters were separated, security held position until the press conference ended. They were escorted out separately. The fight stayed intact.

Why the tension finally spilled

Neither man is new to noise. It looked less like loss of control and more like two fighters choosing their moments. Video spread fast after the January 29 event, pushed by outlets covering the closing stretch of promotion.

Inside the ropes, none of this counts. Stevenson keeps saying the same thing. “It’s all business. I’m not treating it that way, but I’m one hundred percent focused and we’ll see on Saturday night.” His answers stayed short. No extra fuel.

What both sides are saying before Saturday

Lopez sounded settled when asked about camp. “It’s been very good. Stacy McKinley, our assistant trainer, has been helping out and training me at his gym, alongside my father. The amount of knowledge that’s been bestowed in my skills, and the amount of progress I’ve been creating has really made an impact. I feel very good, excited, determined, and I can’t wait to display that on Saturday.” When pressed further, he added, “Yes, but more importantly my soul feels great, like a beacon.”

Keith Connolly leaned into history. “We’re in the same exact position five, six years ago when he fought [Vasiliy] Lomachenko. He went in and kicked his a**. He’s going to do it again. Shakur Stevenson is a great fighter, but he’s never faced anyone like Teofimo Lopez.”

Stevenson stayed measured when asked about the fight itself. “We’ll see. He’s a good fighter.”

Saturday settles it.

Date: January 31
Start time: 5 pm local; 5 pm ET; 10 pm UK
Streaming platform: DAZN PPV
Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York
Fight card: Shakur Stevenson vs Teofimo Lopez