TEOFIMO Lopez efficiently defended his WBO super-lightweight title with a 12-round determination win over Steve Claggett within the James L. Knight Heart, Miami Seashore, Florida, final night time. Judges Lisa Giampa and Efrain Lebron awarded Lopez each spherical, whereas Steve Weisfeld despatched Claggett again up north at the least with a single session, scoring it 119-109.
Whereas Lopez acquired the job completed, it was hardly a show that might have any rivals in and across the weight tossing and turning of their sleep. That mentioned, the 26-year-old champion has a historical past of turning up on the proper occasions in opposition to the largest names.
Canada’s Claggett, 35, arrived as a reliable fringe world-level operator with a mode anticipated to be made to order for Teo, who struggled with the fixed motion of Jamaine Ortiz in February. As an alternative, Lopez churned out a constant, workmanlike efficiency that lacked any severe spark.
Claggett wanted little invitation to press ahead, largely in straight traces, and whereas there was by no means any doubt over who the winner could be, he managed to trigger some harm to Teofimo’s face. Lopez later bemoaned the burden reduce and hinted at a doable transfer as much as 147.
One other combat with out a KO for Lopez, now 21-1 with 13 KOs. Steve Claggett suffered his eighth profession loss, sliding to 38-8-2 (26 KOs). Nonetheless, his story is a optimistic one.
Bouncing again from so many defeats to lastly land a world title alternative, the Calgary native, a staple of the ‘Eye of the Tiger’ promotions in his fatherland, has solely been stopped as soon as, so it was maybe fanciful anticipating him to merely fold below Lopez’s advances.
ESPN analyst Mark Kriegel scored it 119-109 to the defending belt holder and mentioned he was “curious” about Lopez’s energy. The winner celebrated along with his customary backflip and even a couple of snow angels to exhibit the form of athleticism he lacked at occasions through the combat.
“He’s a tricky fighter, I don’t suppose anybody ought to overlook him,” growled Lopez after the competition.
On the primary portion of the undercard, Robeisy Ramirez stopped Brandon Leon Benitez in spherical seven of their 10-rounder. The previous WBO featherweight champion rebounded after shedding his title to Rafael Espinoza and is now primed for a rematch with the Mexican.
Nico Ali Walsh avenged his solely profession loss by beating Sona Akale over six rounds. Walsh dropped by Akale in spherical three and wanted the knockdown advantages, profitable by a single level on two of the playing cards.
