"He's a hell of a fighter, but I was the better man tonight. Stevenson said he felt in control early in the fight and believed he had mentally and physically broken down Lopez well before the final bell. Yeah, I definitely did, he said when asked if he felt he had demoralized his opponent. I feel like he's a fighter, so he tried to fight back, but yeah, I picked him apart."
"Stevenson credited his tactical preparation as a decisive factor, saying extensive film study helped him anticipate Lopez's movements and tendencies. I studied them. I studied them all, Stevenson said. Everything I saw on tape was there tonight. There is benefits from watching tape. That preparation was particularly evident in Stevenson's use of the jab, which he repeatedly used to control distance and disrupt Lopez's rhythm."
Shakur Stevenson outboxed Teofimo Lopez over 12 rounds to become a four-division world champion at Madison Square Garden. Discipline, preparation and years of studying the opponent produced a dominant performance. Extensive film study enabled anticipation of Lopez's movements and tendencies. Stevenson repeatedly used his jab to control distance, disrupt rhythm and make the jab a weapon Lopez could not stop. Stevenson sensed a physical edge early, stating he was stronger and that Lopez was mentally and physically broken down before the final bell. Stevenson accepted the decision win despite earlier expressing a desire for a stoppage.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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