Philippines, 28 Jul 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Teofimo Lopez: "Steve Claggett Is the Only Fighter Who Stepped Up To Challenge Me!"

PhilBoxing.com




Teofimo-Claggett goes down Saturday, June 29, at James L Knight Center in Miami and LIVE on ESPN

MIAMI, Fla. (June 18, 2024) - WBO, Ring Magazine, and lineal junior welterweight world champion Teofimo Lopez (20-1, 13 KOs) prepares to defend his titles against Steve Claggett (38-7-2, 26 KOs) on Saturday, June 29, at James L. Knight Center in Miami, Florida.

Lopez, the first world champion of Honduran descent, will headline in South Florida for the first time, where he honed his skills as both an amateur and a pro.

In the 10-round featherweight co-feature, Cuban former world champion Robeisy Ramirez (13-2, 8 KOs) returns against Mexico’s Brandon Leon Benitez (21-2, 9 KOs).

The six-round televised opener will see middleweight prospect Nico Ali Walsh (10-1, 5 KOs) attempt to avenge his only pro defeat in a rematch against Sona Akale (9-1, 4 KOs).

Teofimo-Claggett, Ramirez-Benitez, and Ali Walsh-Akale II will be broadcast LIVE on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. Sky Sports will broadcast the event in the UK and Ireland.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Eye of The Tiger, remaining tickets are on sale via Ticketmaster.com.

Following a recent training session in South Florida, this is what Lopez had to say:

Teofimo Lopez

“This is going to be a tough fight. A lot of people look at Claggett's record and think I'm going to fight a nobody, but he hasn't lost in three years. He has fought former champions. He always comes to fight and throws a lot of punches. I need to be in great condition to battle a fighter like him. I can't overlook him, get overconfident, and play around with him. I know this fight will be great for all my people in Miami."

"Unlike these other supposed champs at 140, Steve Claggett is the only fighter who raised his hand and stepped up to challenge me. No other fighters were interested in getting in the ring with me. These other fighters want me to help them make a name for themselves. Although people don't know much about him, Claggett is very tough and always comes to fight. I want to face fighters like that. I don't want to face fighters who talk a lot and are just trying to become famous, like my last opponent. I hit him in the second round, and then he ran the rest of the fight. That's not good for boxing."

"I want to face the top dog in any division I campaign in. Despite the doubters, I have overcome similar skepticism in the past, like before my fights against Josh Taylor and Vasiliy Lomachenko. Throughout my career, I have always sought to compete against the very best. I am always willing to challenge myself. After this fight, if I can get the other junior welterweight champs to get in the ring with me, my primary goal will be to test and push my limits. I want the triple crown."




Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 27 JULY 2026: Tszyu vs Spence, Return of Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury Highlight Busy Week
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 28 Jul 2026
  • The Legacy Continues: Team Durán Prepares for Historic Panama-Mexico Showdown
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 28 Jul 2026
  • NM Ric Portugalera Tops Hongkong Blitz Chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 28 Jul 2026
  • Nurghali gets second shot at Japparbergenov’s bantamweight title at International Boxing Day in Astana
    , Tue, 28 Jul 2026
  • Champion's Mindset: Gustavo Trujillo Ready to Defend BKB Heavyweight Title Against Mark O'Neil at BKB 58
    , Tue, 28 Jul 2026
  • Spanish boxer Eddine has been Hospitalized in Spain
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 28 Jul 2026
  • PH football in group C, G
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 28 Jul 2026
  • PHILBOXING.COM MONDAY ROUNDUP: Tszyu Outclasses Spence in Sydney as "The Truth" Retires; Heavyweight Drama in Pattaya and Jeddah
    By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Mon, 27 Jul 2026
  • 'The Fight Is Signed': Hearn Declares Joshua vs. Fury Secured as Mind Games Begin with 'Landlord' Spoof
    By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Mon, 27 Jul 2026
  • Chezka Centeno wins 3rd world title by ruling the Oneida WPA Women's World 8-Ball Championship
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 27 Jul 2026
  • CARE conducts 6.5mile open water in Davao Gulf
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 27 Jul 2026
  • Mise, Arellano rule Davao-Japan golfest
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 27 Jul 2026
  • Berlanga, Hitchins Win in Zuffa Boxing New York Event
    By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Mon, 27 Jul 2026
  • World champion Sanzhar Tashkenbay to headline International Boxing Day in Astana
    , Mon, 27 Jul 2026
  • Cyrud "The Ferocious" Cabautan Defeats Michael "D' Power Fist" Diaz in Olympus Rising by TWC Amateur MMA Fight
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 27 Jul 2026
  • USA Boxing Earns Four Wins at 2026 Capri Boxing Cup
    , Mon, 27 Jul 2026
  • Tim Tszyu Dominates Spence in Wide UD Win as 'The Truth' Formally Retires
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 26 Jul 2026
  • Joshua Survives Early Knockdowns to Stop Prenga, Clearing Path for Fury Mega-Fight
    By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Sun, 26 Jul 2026
  • Weigh-In Results - All Set for the Main Event Between Steven Butler and Edgar Berlanga Tomorrow Night in New York City!
    , Sun, 26 Jul 2026
  • Team USA Set for Capri Boxing Cup Against Italy on Saturday
    , Sun, 26 Jul 2026
  • 'The Comeback' Weigh-In results and confirmed Fight Night running order as AJ faces Prenga
    By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Sat, 25 Jul 2026
  • Errol Spence vs Tim Tszyu: Do or Die Down Under
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 25 Jul 2026
  • SYDNEY WEIGH-IN REPORT: Spence and Tszyu On Weight; Co-Main Event Cancelled After Fulton Blows Weight
    By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Sat, 25 Jul 2026
  • Fury Halts Wach in Thailand, Leaving Ball in Joshua’s Court for Mega-Fight
    By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Sat, 25 Jul 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: A Great First Half of the Year for the WBC
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Sat, 25 Jul 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.