Claggett Vows To Upset The Odds And Beat Lopez: ‘They Don’t Know The Skills I Have’
Steve Claggett says he’s never been so prepared for a fight and has warned Teofimo Lopez not to underestimate his skills in their WBO super-lightweight title bout on Saturday.
Claggett (38-7-2 26 KO) is enjoying something of a late-career resurgence; the Canadian has been active in recent years, reeling off nine straight wins in the last three years to move himself up the 140lbs rankings.
It has taken 16 years and 46 fights for Claggett to earn his first world title shot, and the challenge doesn’t come much tougher than two-weight world champion Lopez (20-1-0 13 KO). While Claggett is viewed as a massive underdog, the Canadian is supremely confident all his work behind the scenes will lead to a shock victory at the James L. Knight Center in Miami Beach, Florida on Saturday.
“I’ve put my whole life into it,” Claggett told The Ring Magazine. “Very excited, very prepared, I’m pulling out all the stops. I’m working as hard as I can, as smart as I can. I’m going to bring my best. In boxing, it seems you’ve got to work a long time for that one night that can potentially change your life and that’s where I’m at now.”
‘Nothing But Respect’ For Lopez
Since his crowning achievement in beating Vasiliy Lomachenko to become the unified lightweight world champion in October 2020, Lopez’s form has been mixed. He was fortunate to be awarded a split decision victory over Sandor Martin in December 2022, while he was met with boos from fans after his unimpressive points win over Jamaine Ortiz in his most recent fight in February.
However, the clash of styles between the powerful, counter-punching Lopez and the high-paced, volume-punching Claggett should make for an exciting match-up, and the Canadian has warned the champion not to take him lightly.
“He’s very athletic, he’s a very skillful fighter,” Claggett, 35, said of Lopez. “Nothing but respect for his game but I also believe in myself. I’m just preparing for his best and I’m preparing for everything I’ve watched and everything I’ve seen. The name of the game is show up prepared. I’ve got nothing but respect for the guy and his fighting skills, but I don’t think they know the fighting skills I have.”
Lopez’s inconsistent form has opened the door for Claggett to pull off the upset, although the challenger insists he has prepared for nothing less than the best version of the New Yorker.
Claggett Full Of Belief
“No, I prepare for him at his very best because that’s what I’m anticipating he’ll bring,” he said. “Two things that I think maybe other people are overlooking, I’m a good sized junior welterweight and I have a lot of experience with a lot of different fighters. “It’s all talk and what people think. I know what actually matters is what’s in the ring. That’s what I’m preparing for.”
Preparation has been the key theme for Claggett, which comes as no surprise given his opponent and a potential once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get his hands on a world title.
“It’s something I worked toward since I was a little kid and boxing is a crazy sport, it’s a crazy game but I believe in my consistency, I believe in my efforts in the gym,” Claggett said. “I think now I’m reaching a peak where my age and experience are coming together.
“I think the timing is right and I really believe in my team and believe in myself and I’m going to give it my best and show the world what I can do. I’m going to put out my absolute best, I don’t have a lot to say, I’ve got a lot to do.”
