Teofimo Lopez Defeats Steve Claggett Via A Unanimous Decision

Teofimo Lopez retained his WBO 140-pound title with a unanimous decision win over Steve Claggett.

Prior to the fight, Lopez indicated his desire to move up to 147 to potentially fight Terence Crawford. Facing Claggett was the perfect opportunity since the challenger is a welterweight. But it was Claggett who had the better start. He pushed Lopez on the ropes, who stayed on the back foot. Claggett continued the same approach in the second, landing a with a solid right hand counter. However, Lopez connected with a double right hand jab, before Claggett responded with another right hand.

Lopez had the better of it in the third, connecting with left hooks to the midsection. That was followed up several flurries: a right hand, double jab and another right to win the third. Claggett responded well in the fourth, with a double jab and a right hook. However, Teo hit back with two uppercuts to counter. The challenger was trying his best to keep Lopez on the ropes, who knew he had to slow down his man.

Lopez Takes Control

The fight changed after the halfway stage as Lopez took over. During the seventh round, Claggett lowered his guard due to the high pace. Lopez responded with a right hand and left hook. The eighth was another clear round for Lopez. An uppercut to the body and a hook hit the midsection. As Claggett reduced the pace, Lopez landed another uppercut. The challenger was on the ropes, covering up, as Lopez pressed the action.

Lopez Onslaught

Lopez was now turning the screw. In round nine, he connected with a one-two combination. The Takeover followed up by a right hand, as Claggett had no answer to the onslaught was coming his way. Lopez was now out-landing and throwing more power shots, as Claggett’s level dropped significantly. Claggett could only win by stoppage. That never looked likely as Lopez won an easy unanimous decision: 120-108, 120-108 and 119-109. After the fight, Lopez indicated his desire to fight at 147.

“I’m just very grateful, really. He’s a tough fighter. I don’t think anyone should overlook him. I knew that coming into this. See everybody is talking about these other fighters that I just feel like I’m not interested in. I want to fight. Look at this, look what we gave the fans out here. To be real, I’m going to be frank with you guys, I feel like this weight cut and everything my body’s growing and although it doesn’t look like I can handle my own at 147, I believe I can. I truly believe I can and I want these great champions. Hey, whoever it is, whatever it is, ‘The Takeover,’ we don’t dodge nobody,” Lopez

Full Card

Teofimo Lopez (c.) defeated Steve Claggett by unanimous decision (120-108, 120-108, 119-109)

Robeisy Ramirez knocked out Brandon Leon Benitez in the 7th round (2:46); Featherweight

Nico Ali Walsh won by unanimous decision against Sona Akale (58-55, 57-56, 57-56); Middleweight

Yan Santana won by unanimous decision against Brandon Valdes (98-91, 98-91, 96-93); Super Featherweight

Rohan Polanco won by TKO in the 2nd round against Luis Hernandez Ramos (2:28); Welterweight

Euri Cedeno knocked out Dormedes Potes in the 1st round (0:58); Middleweight

Emiliano Vargas won by TKO in the 1st round against Jose Zaragoza (1:32); Super Lightweight

Lorenzo Medina won by unanimous decision against Detrailous Webster (60-54, 60-53, 59-55); Heavyweight

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