Shakur Stevenson believes he has one major advantage over Teofimo Lopez ahead of their highly-anticipated world title showdown.
Stevenson challenges Lopez for his WBO super lightweight world title at Madison Square Garden on Saturday, live on DAZN pay-per-view.
The 28-year-old is a strong favourite with the bookmakers to dethrone his American rival, despite moving up from lightweight.
Lopez infamously appeared to question himself after being dropped on route to a split decision win over Sandor Martin in 2022, saying in the ring: “Do I still got it?”
And the Newark man believes his mental toughness will see him become a four-weight world champion.
“My biggest advantage is my mental, my mind,” Stevenson told DAZN.
“My mind is stronger than him.
“I’ve got a lot of heart.
“I’m built with heart, that’s who I am.”
Stevenson retained his WBC lightweight world title with a dominant points win over William Zepeda in July.
Lopez has won six on the spin since a sole professional defeat to George Kambosos Jr in 2021 and despite a comprehensive display over Arnold Barboza Jr to retain his WBO super lightweight crown last May, Stevenson insists he’s seen plenty of flaws which he’s vowed to exploit.
“He’s got a lot of weaknesses,” he added.
“He’s a very good fighter, but I see a lot of weaknesses.
“He’s not going to correct them over night.
“It’s going to be the same Teo that we’ve seen a thousand times before.”
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The winner of Saturday’s fight could be in line for a unification with recently-crowned WBC champion, Dalton Smith who is expected to be watching on from ringside.
Smith knocked out Subriel Matias in Brooklyn earlier this month and is keen to face the winner.
“I will probably be over there watching it,” the 28-year-old told Sky Sports.
“It is a great fight and obviously I have my eyes on that as a potential opponent for those guys next.
“It is going to be good and it is going to be a great fight.
“I am favouring Shakur on points.”
