Teofimo Lopez Talks Steve Claggett and Reveals Future Aims

On June 29, at the James L. Knight Center in Miami, Florida, Teofimo Lopez (20-1, 13 KOs) will defend his WBO, Ring Magazine, and lineal junior welterweight titles against Steve Claggett (38-7-2, 26 KOs). The entire card will be shown live on ESPN and ESPN+ in the U.S., with Sky Sports, the broadcaster in the UK, while the event will be promoted by Top Rank in association with Eye of The Tiger. Following a recent training session in South Florida, “The Takeover” spoke on his upcoming fight against Claggett and his aims for the future.

Teofimo Lopez Ready for Steve Claggett

Teofimo Lopez Talks Claggett and Future Targets

Speaking about his opponent on June 29, Lopez said: “This is going to be a tough fight. A lot of people look at Claggett’s record and think I’m going to fight a nobody, but he hasn’t lost in three years. He has fought former champions. He always comes to fight and throws a lot of punches. I need to be in great condition to battle a fighter like him. I can’t overlook him, get overconfident, and play around with him. I know this fight will be great for all my people in Miami.”

He continued: “Unlike these other supposed champs at 140, Steve Claggett is the only fighter who raised his hand and stepped up to challenge me. No other fighters were interested in getting in the ring with me. These other fighters want me to help them make a name for themselves. Although people don’t know much about him, Claggett is very tough and always comes to fight. I want to face fighters like that. I don’t want to face fighters who talk a lot and are just trying to become famous, like my last opponent. I hit him in the second round, and then he ran the rest of the fight. That’s not good for boxing.”

Lopez also spoke about his plans for the future: “I want to face the top dog in any division I campaign in. Despite the doubters, I have overcome similar skepticism in the past, like before my fights against Josh Taylor and Vasiliy Lomachenko. Throughout my career, I have always sought to compete against the very best. I am always willing to challenge myself. After this fight, if I can get the other junior welterweight champs to get in the ring with me, my primary goal will be to test and push my limits. I want the triple crown.”

Lopez vs. Claggett Full Fight Card

• Teofimo Lopez vs. Steve Claggett, 12 rounds, for Lopez’s lineal/WBO junior welterweight title
• Robeisy Ramirez vs. Brandon Leon Benitez, 10 rounds, featherweights
• Sona Akale vs. Nico Ali Walsh, rematch, 6 rounds, middleweights
• Elvis Rodriguez vs. Jino Rodrigo, 10 rounds, junior welterweights
• Emiliano Vargas vs. Jose Zaragoza, 8 rounds, junior welterweights
• Rohan Polanco vs. Luis Hernandez, 8 rounds, junior welterweights
• Euri Cedeno vs. Dormedes Potes, 8 rounds, middleweights
• Yan Santana vs. Brandon Valdes, 10 rounds, featherweights
• Lorenzo Medina vs. Detrailous Webster, 6 rounds, heavyweights