Teofimo Lopez vs Steve Claggett Preview
Junior welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez puts his titles on the line against Steve Claggett at James L. Knight Center in Miami Beach, Florida on June 29. The main card is scheduled to start at 9:00 pm.
Lopez enters this title defence following a disappointing showing in his last fight. Claggett has never fought an opponent of this level. Can the challenger pull off the upset or will Lopez prove he is worth his salt?
Teofimo Lopez vs Steve Claggett Head-To-Head and Key Stats
Teofimo Lopez won the IBF lightweight title in December 2019 when he TKO’d Richard Commey. He convincingly beat Vasiliy Lomachenko a year later to retain his belt and claim the WBA (Super), WBO, and The Ring lightweight titles. A tight split decision loss to George Kambosos Jr. followed before he won and defended the vacant NABF and WBO International light welterweight titles against Pedro Campa and Sandor Martin.
His biggest achievement to date came in his next fight. The Miami native put on an impressive performance in a unanimous decision victory over Josh Taylor in June 2023. After winning the WBO and The Ring light welterweight titles to become a two-division champion, he returned eight months later despite claiming he had retired.
The Miami native last stepped in the ring in February, when he faced Jamaine Ortiz at the Michelob Ultra Arena, in Paradise, Nevada. The Takeover won the fight, though it was uneventful. His slow and nervy performance elicited boos from the crowd, though he was able to claim a unanimous decision victory.
The champ fought negatively and attempted to force Ortiz to engage. His opponent is guilty of fighting just as negatively, but Lopez did very little to set up the challenger. He did not do enough to cut off the ring and failed to use his jab. Neither fighter ever looked in real jeopardy. The bout was a frustrating watch and Lopez looked to be shaking off ring rust against a below-elite-level boxer..
That is why there has been criticism levelled at Lopez and the matchmakers for his upcoming fight against Claggett. The two seem worlds apart talent-wise with Claggett never stepping into the ring against someone of Lopez’s level.
The Canadian is a seasoned fighter with a record of 38-7-2. He is seen as more of a gatekeeper in this division. His last fight came in January, earning a second-round victory after Marcos Gonzalez Barraza retired during the eight-rounder. Claggett is not there to be walked through though.
He has power behind him with 26 KOs and likes to fight aggressively. Claggett has taken down numerous prospects who have come in unprepared and has added a 1 in the L column of six previously undefeated fighters. He likes to come forward and will present a different challenge to Ortiz, who did not fight as aggressively as Lopez may have expected. This is likely Clagget’s only opportunity at a title fight and he cannot be underestimated. He is undefeated in his last nine contests and at 35-years-old this is his first test against a truly elite-level fighter.
Standing at 5’8” with a 68 ½” reach, the tale of the tape is virtually identical. Claggett will have a relatively insignificant inch-and-a-half reach advantage. Lopez is 21-1 in his career with 13 of his victories coming via KO/TKO. The challenger has a slightly better knockout percentage with 68.42% to Lopez’s 65%. However, Lopez has never been knocked out in his career with his only loss coming via decision. Claggett has been KO’d in one of his seven defeats.
Teofimo Lopez vs Steve Claggett Prediction
Fight prediction: Lopez via KO/TKO
Teofimo Lopez put on a lacklustre performance in his defence against Ortiz. He never took the fight to his opponent, something he tends to do when fighting below his level. However, Claggett’s brawling style means he cannot rest on his laurels here as he did in his previous bout. That will force the best out of Lopez and our boxing prediction is for him to bounce back impressively with a knockout victory.
The champion is a counter-puncher and will welcome this clash of styles. Claggett’s preference for pressure fighting will play into his hands. He will be tough, but ultimately easier to hit. His style makes him predictable and more susceptible to counter-punchers. Lopez has lost some of his power since moving up to welterweight. However, this fight has been handpicked for him to get a finish. Claggett will be too tough for his own good and walk into a KO.
It's lights out when @TeofimoLopez is in the ring 💡#TeofimoClaggett | JUN 29 | @ESPN pic.twitter.com/wE49ZPf8JD
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) June 27, 2024
This does not mean The Takeover can disregard his opponent’s power. The Canadian fighter has clubbing power and swings at will to the head and body. Lopez has to be on it in this fight and cannot repeat his performance against Ortiz. Claggett is not as light on his feet nor is he as technical as Ortiz, but he offers danger in different areas. The champion cannot afford to sleepwalk his way to a victory again on Saturday.
This is ultimately a stay-busy fight for Lopez though. Most of Claggett’s success has come on the regional scene and as a gatekeeper of the division, an upset is highly unlikely. The Canadian can find a big punch if he catches Lopez in another unmotivated mood, but The Takeover will not make the same mistake twice.
Teofimo Lopez vs Steve Claggett Betting Picks
A bet on Lopez offers little value for money. He is an overwhelming favourite, worth -1000 with our online sportsbook. It has to be stressed that this fight was tailor-made for a Lopez victory by KO/TKO. He and his camp would be disappointed with anything less. We like a bet on the champ to win by KO/TKO or DQ worth -143.
The round betting markets are more attractive if you want to wager on a plus-money bet. Claggett will look to pressure Lopez from the first bell. This will open him up for big counterpunches from Lopez as he looks to finish the fight early. Five of his 13 KO victories have come in the second round. Boxing betting markets price a second-round knockout victory for Lopez at +3300.
A specific round bet may be a long shot though. Instead, you can wager on the group round markets. Teofimo Lopez to win in rounds 1-6 is +375 in online betting. The Takeover has finished his opponents inside six rounds in 11 of his 13 finishes.
There are plenty of opportunities to wager on this exciting fight. Not only can you go for an outright prediction, but you can look at the over/under market. Betting on there being under 10.5 rounds in this contest is worth taking at -115. New customers can sign up using our welcome bonus to bet with reduced risk. We will match your first deposit 100% up to $500.
Fight Outcome
An argument could be made that Lopez needs to win by KO/TKO. If he fails to finish yet another non-elite fighter his stock will tumble. Lopez will want money fights and we will see a more motivated and focused version of him than we did in his last fight. Claggett is not on his level and he will prove it in Miami.
The champion will have learned from his mistakes. He will cut off the ring more and won’t be drawn into punching himself out. This will not be another yawn-fest and Lopez will stroll through his opponent as he is expected to.
Teofimo Lopez vs Steve Claggett Full Fight Card
The full fight card for Saturday night is weak. Lopez and Claggett headline the night with their title bout. The rest of the card is a mixture of upcoming prospects and seasoned veterans. There are a few interesting bouts, however.
Yan Santana will put his undefeated record on the line against Brandon Valdez. Santana has won all 11 of his fights by knockout and Valdez will bring a resilience the Dominican is yet to face in his young career.
Olympian Rohan Polanco also puts his undefeated record on the line in his bout with Luis Hernandez Ramos. Ramos brings experience with a 23-7 record including 20 KO victories. This will be Polanco’s toughest test to date.
Muhammad Ali’s grandson Nico Ali Walsh will attempt to avenge his loss to Sona Akale in this rematch. Both fighters come in with identical 9-1 records, though Walsh boasts one more finish with 5 KOs.
