By Corey Erdman

Curtis Stevens will return to the ring on May 7, and he's doing so with a new look.

Stevens, who faces Patrick Teixiera on the undercard of the Canelo Alvarez-Amir Khan middleweight title bout, will have a couple alterations to his fighter profile when the press kits are released on fight week.

First, he has decided to ditch the “Showtime” moniker he's used for his entire career. But perhaps more importantly, he has acquired the training services of John David Jackson. This also marks the end of his tenure with his trainer and uncle Andre Rozier. Stevens claims the two have split amicably, as Rozier will still design his ring attire under his Havoc company, but has relocated to Florida to immerse himself in the Jackson camp.

“He's been a fighter. He sees things that other people can't see, so he's making me more relaxed, instead of making me want to go in there and kill,” said Stevens. “ (I'm) not looking for power so much. We all know I have the equalizer. If I touch you, you'll go.”

Stevens is still regarded as one of the best one-punch knockout artists in the sport, and an extremely dangerous task for the undefeated Teixiera. The 29-year old by far represents the biggest step up for the young Brazilian, who has mostly been able to feast on journeymen and late-notice opponents up until this point.

This opponent, meanwhile, is surrounding himself with other elite fighters to prepare. Jackson, of course, corners light heavyweight titleholder Sergey Kovalev, and is preparing Chris Algieri for an April 16 bout against Errol Spence Jr.

“When you're in the gym with top fighters, the only thing that can happen is that it betters you. You're looking at what they're doing, you're taking a little bit from them, and you mold it into your own person,” said Stevens.

Jackson's recent work with Algieri was particularly impressive, transforming him from a skittish jab artist into a high-octane volume puncher seemingly overnight. Whether he'll be able to orchestrate a similar makeover for Stevens remains to be seen, but the former title challenger is happy to have all the help he can get this time around.

“When we're in here, we're all working, and we watch what one another does. You're a team, you've got to help each other,” said Stevens.

Corey Erdman is a boxing writer and commentator based in Toronto, ON. Follow him on Twitter @corey_erdman