Teofimo Lopez Dominates Steve Claggett in World Title Defence

Teofimo Lopez (21-1, 13 KOs) proved too much for Steve Claggett (38-8-2, 26 KOs) in their world title clash on Saturday night.

Scores for their bout were 120-108 (x2) and 119-109. With the win, Lopez defended his WBO super lightweight title for the second time. He won the belt with a dominant unanimous decision win against Josh Taylor in June of last year.

The two men headlined a Top Rank card – in association with Eye of the Tiger Management – at the James L. Knight Center in Miami, FL. Viewers in the United States can catch the action live on ESPN, ESPN+ and ESPN Deportes. Sky Sports will broadcast the event in the United Kingdom and Ireland, while those in Canada can do so on TSN.

Teofimo Lopez Dominates Steve Claggett in World Title Defence

Fight Recap

Lopez began the bout fighting off the back foot, allowing Claggett to come forward and throw at a high volume. While the Canadian was throwing the greater number of punches, Lopez was the more accurate. The reigning champion was particularly successful when he had Claggett at mid-range or an arm’s length away.

As the fight went on, Lopez extended his lead over his opponent. Many of Claggett’s punches were getting parried or blocked. In the eighth, there was a brief period where Lopez was the one coming forward after he landed a right uppercut that stunned Claggett, but the challenger shook it off to make it to the end of the round.

Lopez continued boxing off the back foot till the end of the fight. He had no issues imposing his style on Claggett whose pressure, while unrelenting, was not effective enough to cause Lopez serious concern. The WBO champion landed all sorts of punches while moving along the ropes, among them an uppercut that he was able to land with consistency. In the end, Lopez was simply the better fighter of the two.

Post-Fight Interview

Teofimo Lopez

“I knew exactly what kind of fighter this guy was, he was gonna come forward and test my conditioning,” said Lopez.“He’s a tough fighter, I don’t think anyone should overlook him.”

“My body’s growing, and although it doesn’t look like I can handle my own at 147, I believe I can,” he said. “I want these great champions. Whoever it is, whatever it is. We don’t dodge nobody. I just want to fight the best.”

Undercard Results

Robeisy Ramírez (14-2, 9 KOs) won via seventh-round knockout against Brandon Benítez (21-3, 9 KOs). The time of stoppage for this 10-round featherweight clash was 2:46. Benítez was sent to the canvas by a left uppercut and was unable to beat the count of referee Chris Young.

Nico Ali Walsh (10-1, 5 KOs, 1 NC) won a unanimous decision against Sona Akale (9-2, 4 KOs) in a six-round middleweight contest. Scores for the fight were 58-55 and 57-56 (x2). Akale went to the canvas once in round three from a left hand. With the win, Walsh avenged a previous defeat to Akale. (Top Rank include a split decision win against Noel Lafargue in the record of Walsh, making him 11-1. However, BoxRec do not. Big Fight Weekend is going with BoxRec’s current record of 10-1).

Undercard Results (ESPN+ Exclusive)

Emiliano Vargas (11-0, 9 KOs) won via first-round technical knockout against Jose Zaragoza (9-9-2, 3 KOs). The time of stoppage for this eight-round super lightweight fight was 1:32. Zaragoza went to the canvas once in the fight. After a barrage of punches from Vargas, referee Luis Pabon put an end to proceedings.

Elvis Rodriguez (16-1-1, 13 KOs) won a unanimous decision against Jino Rodrigo (12-4-2, 10 KOs). Scores for the 10-round super lightweight clash were 98-92 (x2) and 97-92. Both fighters traded knockdowns in the opening round.

Lorenzo Medina (11-0, 9 KOs) won a unanimous decision against Detrailous Webster (7-4, 3 KOs). Scores for the six-round heavyweight bout were 60-53, 60-54 and 59-55.

Rohan Polanco (13-0, 8 KOs) won via second-round technical knockout against Luis Hernandez (23-5, 20 KOs). The time of stoppage for this eight-round super lightweight fight was 2:28. Referee Pabon stepped in to halt proceedings following a barrage of punches from Polanco.

Yan Santana (12-0, 11 KOs) won a unanimous decision against Brandon Valdes (15-5, 7 KOs) in a 10-round featherweight clash. Scores were 98-91 (x2) and 96-93. Valdes went to the canvas once in round one after a straight right followed by a left hook.

Opening the broadcast on ESPN+, Euri Cedeño (9-0-1, 8 KOs) won via first-round knockout against Dormedes Potes (14-7-1, 10 KOs). The time of stoppage for this eight-round middleweight contest was 0:58. Cedeño sent his opponent to the canvas with body shots, landing with his left and then his right hand. Potes was unable to beat the count of referee Samuel Burgos.