Bernard Hopkins compared Teofimo Lopez and Shakur Stevenson A legendary welterweight contest from the 1980s that believed one man had “more weapons with which to win.”

The two will square off tonight at New York’s Madison Square Garden, with Stevenson looking to become a four-weight world champion.

The 28-year-old enters their super lightweight bout as the heavy favorite Dominant performance against William Zepeda Lost weight to 135 pounds.

A points win in July allowed him to retain the WBC belt in stunning fashion, but he now has to fight a much stronger man at 140 pounds.

In fact, Lopez is expected to have a clear size advantage come fight night, and many also believe he has an advantage in athleticism.

While Stevenson is undoubtedly the bullfighter, Lopez’s skills suggest he’s more experienced than the bull, at least in this particular fight.

But Hall of Famer Hopkins still sees the fight as Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Roberto Duran Rematchthe former produced better performance, surpassing the latter.

talk with FightHype.comHopkins insists that Lopez-Stevenson is more similar to Duran Leonard than Leonard versus Thomas Hearns.

“(This is) a fight that I believe will live up to all the expectations and all the talent both men have.

“But to me, Shakur Stevenson has more weapons with which to win; more weapons with which he can confuse anybody.

“I believe Shakur is going to win. It’s going to be a close fight, but not a controversial fight. I’d say it’s more like Duran and Leonard (as opposed to Leonard Hearns).”

While many would consider comparisons to Duran a good addition, Lopez may argue that stylistically they are worlds apart.

Based on his two career-best performances against Vasily Lomachenko and Josh Taylor, Lopez is more of an explosive counterpuncher than a front-foot attacker.