Former unified champion at Lightweight Teofimo Lopez successfully defended his WBO super-lightweight title with a 12-round decision win over Steve Claggett in the James L. Knight Center, Miami Beach, Florida, last night. Judges Lisa Giampa and Efrain Lebron awarded Lopez every round, while Steve Weisfeld sent Claggett back up north at least with a single session, scoring it 119-109.
Lopez, who won his first world title at Lightweight against Ghana's Richard Commey in 2019, pulled it off alright, but it was hardly a display that would have any rivals in and around the weight tossing and turning in their sleep. That said, the 26-year-old champion has a history of turning up at the right times against the biggest names : Vasiliy Lomachenko and Josh Taylor.
Canada’s Claggett, 35, arrived as a dependable fringe world-level operator with a style expected to be made to order for Teo, who struggled with the constant movement of Jamaine Ortiz in February. Instead, Lopez churned out a consistent, workmanlike performance that was devoid of any serious lustre.
Claggett needed little invitation to press forward, mostly in straight lines, and while there was never any doubt over who the winner would be, he managed to cause some damage to Teofimo’s face. Lopez later bemoaned the weight cut and surprisingly hinted a possible move up to 147.
Another fight without a KO for Lopez, now 21-1 with 13 KOs. Steve Claggett suffered his eighth career loss, sliding to 38-8-2 (26 KOs). However, his story is a positive one.
Bouncing back from so many defeats to finally land a world title opportunity, the Calgary native, a staple of the ‘Eye of the Tiger’ promotions in his native land, has only been stopped once, so it was perhaps fanciful expecting him to merely cower and fold under Lopez’s onslaught.
As expected, the winner, who handed Vasiliy Lomachenko his second career loss, celebrated with his customary backflip and even a few snow angels to exhibit the kind of athleticism he lacked at times during the fight.
“He’s a tough fighter, I don’t think anyone should overlook him,” growled Lopez after the bout.
Lopez could probably be looking at a clash with Terence Crawford at 147. But with Crawford chasing legacy at 154 against Madrimov and how things stand currently, it seems very unlikely.
By Samuel Opoku Amoah.
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