Crawford Backs Stevenson to Beat Lopez and Prove “Best in the World”

That endorsement is massive. It also puts Stevenson in a tough spot.

The truth is that Stevenson hasn’t looked like a dominant force lately. His performances against William Zepeda, Artem Harutyunyan, Edwin De Los Santos, and Josh Padley didn’t help his case for being the top dog. He won those rounds and stayed safe, but he lacked the authority people expect from a pound for pound leader. All the old criticisms are still there.

Power is the biggest sticking point. Stevenson hasn’t been able to keep opponents from pressing forward. He hasn’t forced them to abandon their game plans or changed the energy of a fight late. Even his hand speed is being debated. Lopez has hammered that point all week, calling Stevenson “slow” and claiming that pretty movement won’t be a factor once the punches start landing.

This is why Crawford’s words carry so much weight. If Stevenson fails to show out against Lopez, his claim to the throne becomes impossible to defend. Crawford is expecting a statement of total authority.

Lopez is a rhythm breaker. He has a history of beating guys who were supposed to outclass him. While he looks beatable when his timing is off, he thrives on disrupting fighters who rely on polish. Stevenson has built his whole career on playing it safe and keeping his distance.

Against Lopez, that style faces a massive hurdle. Crawford is confident Stevenson will clear it. If he does, the “best in the world” label is official. If he fails, everyone will remember these comments for all the wrong reasons.