Teofimo Lopez retains his title and beats Steve Claggett in Miami

MIAMI — Teofimo Lopez retained his WBO junior welterweight title with a unanimous decision victory over Steve Claggett Saturday night at the James L. Knight Center downtown, but he failed to make a statement against the big outsider.

Lopez, a -1200 favorite, according to ESPN BET, blanked Claggett on two cards with scores of 120-108 and won 119-109 on the third. The Canadian Claggett (38-8-2, 26 KOs) participated for the first time in a 12-round fight.

Lopez, ESPN’s No. 10 pound-for-pound fighter, easily beat Claggett, outscoring him 315-60, but surprisingly never came close to scoring a knockout, much less a knockout, against a fighter fighting at world level for the first time.

Lopez (21-1, 13 KOs) displayed tremendous power at 135 pounds, where he reigned as the undisputed champion, but in five fights at 140, he scored just one knockout. That came in August 2022 against journeyman Pedro Campa.

“I knew exactly what kind of fighter this guy was. … He’s going to come out and test my fitness. And that’s what we got today,” Lopez, 26, said. “He’s a tough fighter. I don’t think anybody should ignore that. I knew that coming in there. … He handled himself.”

Lopez, who grew up in South Florida, seemed to acknowledge his lack of power afterward. He said it was a tough weight loss, “and even though it doesn’t look like I can handle mine at 147, I believe I can.”

Lopez, with his back to the ropes, managed to push back Claggett who was attacking fiercely. Still, the caliber of the Claggett fighter was evident. Someone way below the next level, a fighter with shoddy footwork who just charged forward and let his hands go.

Claggett’s fighting heart cannot be questioned, and he can be proud that he held on. He also managed to hit Lopez on both eyes, and hit him much more often than expected.

Perhaps Lopez took Claggett, 35, lightly. Lopez, after all, was on the wrong end of ESPN’s 2021 upset of the year when he was beaten by George Kambosos.

Lopez also narrowly defeated quality fighter Sandor Martin in his second fight at 140 pounds. Lopez rebounded, however, with a dominant performance against Josh Taylor last summer to win the lineal championship.

But in February, Lopez was booed as he struggled to cut the ring against Jamaine Ortiz, a contender who did not respond.

In choosing Claggett—promoter Top Rank also offered fights with Kenny Sims, Elvis Rodriguez and Ray Muratalla—Lopez took the easy option. He also picked the fighter who was guaranteed to show up, ostensibly to produce a knockout. That never materialized despite all the clean counterpunches Lopez landed.

Lopez uncorked right uppercuts and left hooks that connected flush. He knocked Claggett out in Round 8 and meted out more punishment in Round 9, but Claggett showed his fighting heart – and chin – by continuing to advance.

Lopez threw 946 punches and 100 in the fourth round, both personal bests. Claggett, known for his volume of punches, threw 366 punches.

Lopez told ESPN earlier this month that he plans to return in September. It’s possible that could mark his welterweight debut.

“We’re not dodging anybody,” Lopez said. “I just want the best and I want to fight the best so I can leave more of a legacy. That’s what it’s all about. The glory. … Teofimo is still here.”