Teofimo Lopez has already chosen who he wants to face after Shakur Stevenson

Teofimo Lopez has already prepared for his next fight, a chance to ascend to three-division world champion status, beyond his upcoming showdown with Shakur Stevenson.

The 28-year-old will defend his WBO super lightweight title against Stevenson on January 31, headlining a blockbuster Ring Magazine card at Madison Square Garden in New York.

In his last outing, against his then-mandatory challenger Arnold Barboza Jr, Lopez turned in his best performance since dethroning Josh Taylor about two years earlier.

At the time, ‘The Takeover’ won his world title at 140 pounds with a clear unanimous decision victory, before putting together two unspectacular defenses against Jamaine Ortiz and Steve Claggett.

But despite his lack of consistency over the years, as well as a shock defeat to George Kambosos Jr in 2021, Lopez always brings out his A game for the big occasions.

This became evident after his monumental points victory over Vasyl Lomachenko in 2020, when Lopez established himself as the leading 135-pound champion.

So now, one can only imagine that the Brooklyn man approaches his fight with Stevenson, a three-weight world champion who holds the WBC lightweight title, with the same level of tenacity.

But while many believe Stevenson might have his number, Lopez has already named Devin Haney as a potential opponent when, in his mind, he takes care of business later this month.

Talk with CombatHype About three weeks ago, Lopez insisted the American was firmly on his radar.

“All roads lead to a bigger fight between me and Haney.

“It makes sense now, doesn’t it? There’s momentum, isn’t there? There’s movement, isn’t there?”

A fight with Haney, who won his WBO welterweight crown by outpointing Brian Norman Jr in November, would certainly represent another opportunity where Lopez can’t afford to make many mistakes.