BoxRec

Teofimo Lopez vs Steve Claggett official for June 29th in Miami

Robeisy Ramirez makes his return in the co-feature

Nearly two months after its initial reveal, Teofimo Lopez’s next title defense is official. Top Rank announced today that “The Takeover” will meet Canadian veteran Steve Claggett on June 29th at Miami, Florida’s James L. Knight Center.

It’s worth noting that this ESPN show will almost certainly run head-to-head with Juan Francisco Estrada vs. “Bam” Rodriguez on DAZN.

Claggett (38-7-2, 26 KO), 34, gets his first world title shot nearly 16 years after his professional debut. His record isn’t the prettiest, but he’s not the sort of “crush cans while periodically getting fed to prospects” paper tiger you may expect; he’s got some solid wins over Yves Ulysse Jr and Petros Ananyan alongside a slew of mid-level victims, he hasn’t been stopped in over a decade, and half of his losses since have been split or majority decisions.

Still, while it’s nice to see him receive this opportunity after putting in the work, he seems like a much more digestible opponent for Lopez (20-1, 13 KO) than prior bugbears Sandor Martin and Jamaine Ortiz.

Lopez said, “I have always wanted to fight in South Florida, where I grew up and developed as a fighter.

“I never thought it would happen, but now, on June 29, I get the opportunity to do so not just as a world champion, but as the lineal world champion of my division. This has been one of my goals since turning pro, and I’m motivated to showcase my talent there in front of my Honduran fans and the entire Latino community.

“This is like a Rocky Balboa story for Steve Claggett. I’m very much looking forward to what kind of style I’m going to see. There were no other fighters who were interested in fighting me, and I felt like he would give not just me, but the fans as well, a great fight to watch.”

Former WBO featherweight champion Robeisy Ramirez (13-2, 8 KO) returns in the co-feature against Brandon Lee Benitez (21-2, 9 KO). Ramirez took a lot of punishment in last December’s war with Rafael Espinoza, but he’s no stranger to shock losses in the pro ranks, so odds are he’ll still be in good form. The 26-year-old Benitez, for his part, is 7-0 since a 2019 knockout loss to Saul Sanchez and notably edged out former champ Xu Can two years back.

Not a bad rebound opponent, all things considered.

The opener sees Nico Ali Walsh (9-1, 5 KO) continue down the comeback trail against Sona Akale (9-1, 4 KO). Akale is 36 and the only victory among Cameron Krael’s current 1-11 skid, which should tell you something about his chances.

i mean, claggett is on a decent run, but this is the best they did?

Confirmed

Teofimo Lopez-Steve Claggett Confirmed For June 29 In Miami

Teofimo Lopez will defend his WBO super-lightweight against Steve Claggett of Canada at James L. Knight Center in Miami on June 29.

After recording a disappointing victory over Jamaine Ortiz in February, in his first fight since Devin Haney’s defeat in April by Ryan Garcia he can enhance his reputation as the world’s leading fighter at 140lbs.

“I have always wanted to fight in South Florida, where I grew up and developed as a fighter,” the 26-year-old Lopez said. “I never thought it would happen, but now, on June 29, I get the opportunity to do so not just as a world champion but as the lineal world champion of my division.

“This has been one of my goals since turning pro, and I’m motivated to showcase my talent there in front of my Honduran fans and the entire Latino community. This is like a Rocky Balboa story for Steve Claggett. I’m very much looking forward to what kind of style I’m going to see. There were no other fighters who were interested in fighting me, and I felt like he would give not just me, but the fans as well, a great fight to watch.”

Claggett, 34, has typically lost when he has stepped up in class, such as against Chris van Heerden in 2016, but he was won his past nine fights, and he said: “I have worked my entire life for this opportunity, and I intend to make the most of it. I am more motivated than ever before, and I’m ready to give it everything I’ve got.”

The talented Cuban Robeisy Ramirez returns for the first time since his defeat in December by Rafael Espinoza when he lost his WBO featherweight title in what represented one of the fights of 2023. He fights Espinoza’s fellow Mexico Brandon Leon Benitez on the undercard. Nico Ali Walsh also features on the undercard, in a middleweight fight with Sona Akale, who in August 2023 inflicted his first defeat as a professional, via majority decision.

“While the result [in December] was unexpected, I will begin my quest to recapture my world title and return to the top, where I know I belong,” Ramirez said. “It’s Cuba versus Mexico again, and I’m excited to have the loyal support of the Cuban community of Miami."

“Teofimo Lopez is among the most electrifying fighters in the sport, and I know he’s motivated to put on a show against a very tough challenger in Steve Claggett,” said Bob Arum of Top Rank, the organisation promoting the June 29 bill.

“Robeisy Ramirez wants to become a two-time world champion, and the road back starts in his adopted hometown. Nico Ali Walsh has been asking for the Akale rematch from the moment the judges’ decision came back after their first fight, and he now has a chance for revenge.”

its almost always a bad sign when press release mentions a 'rocky story', because that's essentially pr speak for a big arse mismatch

Yeah, shameful shit. Hmm hmm who would be the best opponent for Teo at this time?

Fight Week!!

Steve Claggett, William Scull, TJ Doheney.


Thank feck for the Saudi sponsored matchups.

JackSprocket wrote: ↑21 May 2024, 11:09 Yeah, shameful shit. Hmm hmm who would be the best opponent for Teo at this time?

Tank

Fight Night!

Date: Saturday June 29, 2024
Location: James L. Knight Center - Miami, FL
TV/Stream: ESPN

Start Times
ESPN+: 5:45 pm ET | 2:45 pm PT | 10.45 pm BST (Preliminary Card)
ESPN: 10 pm ET | 7 pm PT | 1 am BST (Main Card)

Promoted by: Top Rank Inc.

Main Card

WBO Super Lightweight Championship
Teofimo Lopez vs. Steve Claggett

10 Round Featherweight Bout
Robeisy Ramirez vs. Brandon Leon Benitez

6 Round Middleweight Bout
Nico Ali Walsh vs. Sona Akale

Preliminary Card

10 Round Super Featherweight Bout
Yan Santana vs. Brandon Valdes

10 Round Super Lightweight Bout
Elvis Rodriguez vs. Jino Rodrigo

8 Round Super Lightweight Bout
Rohan Polanco vs. Luis Hernandez Ramos

8 Round Middleweight Bout
Euri Cedeno vs. Dormedes Potes

8 Round Super Lightweight Bout
Emiliano Vargas vs. Jose Zaragoza

6 Round Heavyweight Bout
Lorenzo Medina vs. Detrailous Webster

Anyone gonna watch this one

Great uppercut there by Ramirez, good night Benitez

Can’t say I was impressed but Teo got in a very solid night of good work. Claggett never stopped coming forward, and he landed plenty, just did not win rounds. Teo had to stay busy all night, testing his stamina. He passed that test.

Lopez is one hell of an athlete.

119-109 Lopez, the pattern started early and never really shifted for the duration, Claggett tough, aggressive, never stopped coming forward and trying to put it on Lopez but he was picked off all night, Lopez spent nearly all the fight on the ropes , keeping Claggett at bay with the jab and right hand, he put more combinations together in the second half, looked like he hurt Claggett in the 8th I'm sure it was but Claggett just kept ploughing forward and Lopez kept it simple, comfortable wide win for Lopez as expected

No stoppage wins in 4 now.

This was a hand picked opponent for Teo to look good and get back to his KO ways.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑30 Jun 2024, 06:08 No stoppage wins in 4 now.

This was a hand picked opponent for Teo to look good and get back to his KO ways.

Definitely hand picked but definitely not a KO waiting to happen. Claggett has only been stopped once, quite some time ago. He has been very busy since Covid.

Excellent opponent to get in good work against pressure. Check the punch stats for the only stat that I give a about with them: Teo threw a lot and never gassed. Claggett was on him like stink start to finish.