Thursday's final presser with world and WBO junior welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez (pictured) and undefeated WBC lightweight titlist Shakur Stevenson brought drama and substance ahead of Saturday's headliner from a sold-out Madison Square Garden in New York City, live on DAZN PPV. Normally, Stevenson is cool, calm, and collected. It didn't take long though for Lopez to get under Stevenson's skin. Lopez provoked Stevenson to rise from his chair and confront Lopez. Security intervened to prevent a further incident. 

 

Lopez's father and trainer, Teofimo Lopez Sr., wasn't at the press conference due to being under the weather. Lopez declined to elaborate any further beyond saying his father was "downloading". But that didn't prevent Stevenson from trying to escalate the situation.

 

Stevenson alleged that Teofimo Sr. was in the fighter's hotel lobby "drugged out", which hasn't been proven to be accurate. The three-division world champion went on to tell Lopez he had a gift for Teofimo Sr. he wanted to give him. Lopez obliged, saying, "You never deny a gift". Stevenson took a bottle of tequila out of the bag. 

 

Stevenson walked over to Teofimo Jr.'s side and handed a security guard the bottle. The lightweight champion's team kept insisting that Lopez Sr. was recovering from a hangover. Lopez didn't take the bait and insisted that Stevenson and his entourage are so worried about his dad that they bought him a gift.

 

The presser concluded shortly thereafter. Lopez and Stevenson had an intense face-to-face staredown, with the latter talking trash. Stevenson stood facing the media while Lopez kept glaring at him. Stevenson nudged his shoulder and walked off. He walked around security trying to find a way to Lopez. He was unsuccessful but he made sure to get every last word in.