Teofimo Lopez is the champion. Shakur Stevenson is moving up in weight to challenge for his WBC 140-pound title. And Lopez has the stronger resume overall.

Yet most are expecting the gifted Stevenson to beat Lopez on "The Ring 6" card Saturday at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Lopez (22-1, 13 KOs) is accustomed to being underestimated. He simply continues to win.

"I get bullied constantly in the boxing world. Everyone is favoring Shakur Stevenson although he’s coming up to my weight. I am the king of this division," Lopez told The Ring.

"That's why we gotta keep beating these guys, beating Shakur. This is part of it to get to that next level. I've pretty much had everything thrown at me. I look forward to see what will be thrown at me on January 31."

Lopez has had important victories, most notably a unanimous decision over pound-for-pound star Vasiliy Lomachenko to become a unified 135-pound champ in 2020 and a clear nod over Josh Taylor to win his 140-pound belt in 2023.

And even in his lone defeat, a split-decision setback against George Kambosos that cost him his lightweight titles in 2021, he demonstrated unusual courage by fighting through a dangerous heart condition.

Still, most observers believe the otherworldly skill set of Stevenson (24-0, 11 KOs), the WBC 135-pound champ, will decide the outcome against Lopez.

"I won my first title at 22, and it’s like I don’t’ get what I earned," Lopez said.

Of course, Lopez believes in himself. Why not? He has succeeded on the biggest stage in the past. And, he says, he also succeeded when he and Stevenson crossed paths in the gym.

They were promoted by Top Rank when they sparred.

"We were the next rising stars," Lopez said. "We sparred. We did only three rounds back in Miami in 2016. I was getting the [better] of him. You should've seen afterward. ... He said, 'Stop recording.' C’mon dog."

Lopez is certain that many people will be surprised the next time they see each inside a ring.

"I'm fighting a roadrunner. I'm the coyote," Lopez said. "You chose me, I ain’t choose you. You chose me. So I’m going tell you straight the F up: You can go back to 135, we’ll send you back to lightweight. You still got your WBC belt. You’re going to be fine.

"Shakur will fall."