There were no surprises in Miami Beach on Saturday as Teofimo Lopez successfully defended his WBO and Ring Magazine super lightweight titles with a dominant 12-round unanimous decision win over a very brave Steve Claggett . The official scores were 120-108, 120-108 and 119-109.
Lopez (21-1) boxed very well with his strategic focus being sharp counterpunching on the retreat. Neither fighter was down or seriously hurt and if there was a surprise it was the amount of punishment Claggett absorbed without wilting.
"I knew what kind of fighter this guy was; he was going to come forward and test my conditioning," said Lopez during his post-fight interview with ESPN+. "He's a tough fighter and I don't think any fighter should overlook him."
The champ came to the ring splendiferous in a makeshift silver tuxedo and he was on sparkling form from the opening bell. As expected, Claggett came forward and threw plenty of punches, but he was picked off on the counter by Lopez, who looked confident on the backfoot.
Claggett had some success in the second, nailing the champ with a hard jab and some effective body punching. Lopez smiled in response and blasted home a pair of solid right hands that momentarily halted the challenger’s momentum.
Despite fighting most of the fight off the ropes, Lopez’s shots were far more authoritative. Claggett was game and perhaps offered more than many expected, but he was being caught by quality punches and Lopez was taking the sting out of what was coming back.
Uppercuts and body shots began doing damage for Lopez in the fight. He couldn’t completely discourage the challenger, but some of his work was pure world-class and he continued to bend at the waist and move his head to avoid the worst of Claggett’s attacks.
By the midway point, Lopez was putting more weight on the shots, but Claggett continued his forward march. Vicious combinations snapped the Canadian fighter’s head back and the gulf in class between the two fighters was clear.
By the late rounds, the action was repetitive and had descended into a paid sparring session. Claggett covered himself in glory by taking it to the champion for 36 minutes, but he was out of his depth in terms of talent and there's no shame in that.
If this piece of matchmaking was designed to give Lopez a chance to excel against an aggressive – but very hittable – opponent, then it has to be considered a win. However, given the standards “The Takeover” has set for himself, this fight does little for his reputation as a pound-for-pound star.
"My body is growing and although it might not look like I can handle 147, I think I can," said Lopez regarding his future plans. "I want these great champions [at welterweight.]"
Claggett drops to 38-8-2.
Teofimo Lopez vs. Steve Claggett full card
- Teofimo Lopez (c.) def. Steve Claggett via UD 12 (120-108, 120-108, 119-109) for the WBO and Ring Magazine super lightweight titles
- Robeisy Ramirez def. Brandon Leon Benitez via KO 7 (2:46); Featherweights
- Nico Ali Walsh def. Sona Akale via UD 6 (58-55, 57-56, 57-56); Middleweights
- Yan Santana def. Brandon Valdes via UD 10 (98-91, 98-91, 96-93); Super Featherweights
- Elvis Rodriguez vs. Jino Rodrigo; Super Lightweights
- Rohan Polanco def. Luis Hernandez Ramos via TKO 2 (2:28); Welterweights
- Euri Cedeno def. Dormedes Potes via KO 1 (0:58); Middleweights
- Emiliano Vargas def. Jose Zaragoza via TKO 1 (1:32); Super Lightweights
- Lorenzo Medina def. Detrailous Webster via UD 6 (60-54, 60-53, 59-55); Heavyweights
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