Philippines, 25 Apr 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Teofimo Lopez Defends Junior Welterweight Crown against Steve Claggett

PhilBoxing.com





Robeisy Ramirez Pummels Brandon Leon Benitez in Co-Feature

MIAMI, Fla. (June 29, 2024) — Teofimo Lopez (21-1, 13 KOs) defended his WBO and Ring Magazine junior welterweight world titles with a unanimous decision win over Canadian contender Steve Claggett (38-8-2, 6 KOs) Saturday evening at James L. Knight Center in Miami, Florida.

Claggett, who was coming off a nine-fight winning streak, charged at Lopez from the opening bell. The 35-year-old had Lopez against the ropes for much of the fight, where he landed short punches around Lopez's shoulder roll defense.

Lopez used his head movement at close range to evade many shots, but he was more comfortable on the outside. The 26-year-old moved often to establish distance, connecting quick combos around Claggett's high guard, including a flurry that hurt him in the eighth.

Claggett was aggressive at every moment, but Lopez's athleticism prevented him from mounting any significant offense.

Lopez retained his crown with scores of 120-108 2x & 119-109.

Lopez said, "I knew exactly what kind of fighter he was. I knew he would come forward and test my conditioning. And that’s what we had. We went twelve rounds."

"The will has to be stronger than the skill. And that's what we showed tonight. If I was tired, I know he was more tired because I worked very hard for this. We knew we had to break him down. The body shots were hurting him."

“I’m very grateful. He’s a tough fighter. I don’t think anyone should overlook him. I knew that coming into this."

Ramirez Pummels Benitez in 7

Former WBO Featherweight world champion Robeisy Ramirez (14-2, 9 KOs) stopped Mexico’s Brandon Leon Benitez (21-3, 9 KOs) in the seventh round of tonight’s co-feature.

Ramirez set the pace early by hurting Benitez with power shots in the second and third rounds. Benitez tried to work on the inside, but Ramirez consistently created space for combinations by either by pushing him off or using his feet.

In round seven, the two-time Olympic gold medalist began to move even more, touching Benitez with light punches. He then connected a devastating left uppercut that dropped Benitez, who did not recover, forcing the referee to end the fight at 2:46.

Ramirez said, “It’s no secret that Ismael Salas is one of the best strategists in the world. And so the plan was to wear him down little by little. Then, after the last round, he tells me not to look for power shots but to move a bit and to return to my {amateur} roots. That’s what I did. I touched and touched, and I found the shot.”

“It’s not my first time landing a shot like that. It feels good to land a punch like that because it demonstrates that we worked hard in camp.”

“I want my title back. I want the rematch against Rafael Espinoza. If it’s not with him, then I can fight against any of the other champions.”

Ali Walsh Avenges Loss to Akale

Middleweight prospect Nico Ali Walsh (11-1, 5 KOs) triumphed in his rematch against Sona Akale (9-2, 4 KOs), avenging his only pro defeat via six-round unanimous decision.

The grandson of "The Greatest" dropped Akale with a left hook in round three, but Akale fired back in round five with a fusillade of punches that hurt him. Ali Walsh then suffered a dislocated left shoulder in the sixth round but dug deep to finish the fight, using his right hand to connect on an aggressive Akale in the final seconds.

Ali Walsh prevailed with scores of 58-55 and 57-56 2x.

Junior Welterweight: Unbeaten prospect Emiliano Fernando Vargas (11-0, 9 KOs) secured a first-round TKO victory against Jose Zaragoza (9-9-2, 3 KOs). Vargas landed a counter right hand that dropped Zaragoza, which initiated an onslaught he could not recover from. Time of stoppage: 1:23.

Junior Welterweight: Elvis Rodriguez (16-1-1, 13 KOs) tallied a 10-round unanimous points verdict over Filipino slugger Jino Rodrigo (12-4-2, 10 KOs). Rodriguez was dropped by a left hand in the opening round but rose off the deck to drop Rodrigo in the final seconds. Rodriguez struggled to deal with Rodrigo’s momentum but regained control by the middle rounds, outboxing him soundly in the final chapters. Scores: 98-91 2x and 97-92.

Heavyweight: Hometown hero Lorenzo Medina (11-0, 9 KOs) earned a six-round unanimous decision over Detrailous Webster (7-4, 3 KOs). Medina controlled the action with a quick jab and avoided most of Webster’s offense with head movement and footwork. Medina connected with right hands throughout the fight, outlanding Webster in nearly every exchange.

Junior Welterweight: Dominican Olympian Rohan Polanco (13-0, 8 KOs) blasted out Luis Hernandez (23-5, 20 KOs) via second-round TKO. Polanco hurt Hernandez with a punch to the liver before following up with several unanswered punches that forced referee Luis Pabon to end the fight at 2:28.

Featherweight: Yan Santana (12-0, 11 KOs) went the distance for the first time in his career, defeating Brandon Valdes (15-5, 7 KOs) via unanimous decision following 10 rounds of intense action. Santana floored Valdes with a left hook in the opening stanza, but he recovered and went-toe-to-toe with the unbeaten Dominican for the rest of the contest. Scores: 98-91 2x and 96-93.

Middleweight: Unbeaten Dominican southpaw Euri Cedeño (9-0-1, 8 KOs) made quick work of Dormedes Potes (14-7-1, 10 KOs), vanquishing him with a left hook to the body at 56 seconds of the first round.




Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • EUBANK JR VS. BENN + UNDERCARD FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Fri, 25 Apr 2025
  • June 21: Jahi Tucker-Lorenzo Simpson Middleweight Grudge Match Added to Vito Mielnicki Jr.- Kamil Gardzielik Card at Prudential Center LIVE on ESPN+
    , Fri, 25 Apr 2025
  • SALITA PROMOTIONS ADDS TWO MORE ELITE WORLD CHAMPIONS TO STAR-STUDDED ROSTER 
    , Fri, 25 Apr 2025
  • Toro Promotions, Inc. Flexing its Heavyweight Muscles Around the boxing world
    , Fri, 25 Apr 2025
  • Unbeaten pro boxer Anthony Velasquez Building his brand promoting this Saturday’s Main event fight at home in Springfield, Mass.
    , Fri, 25 Apr 2025
  • Disturbing, Eyebrow-Raising Happenings Involving Prominent Filipino Fighters (Part 2)
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 24 Apr 2025
  • The Monster Arrives: Naoya Inoue Is Back in America!
    , Thu, 24 Apr 2025
  • Prayers for Jonathan
    By Joaquin Henson, , Thu, 24 Apr 2025
  • EUBANK JR VS. BENN MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES
    , Thu, 24 Apr 2025
  • Young, Llavanes power Camarines past Toledo in PCAP chess tilt
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 24 Apr 2025
  • June 27: Christian Mbilli-Maciej Sulecki Interim Super Middleweight World Title Showdown Set for Videotron Centre in Quebec City LIVE on ESPN+
    , Thu, 24 Apr 2025
  • Undefeated junior middleweight prospect Nisa “Sweet-Destruction” Rodriguez Fighting this Saturday on a Pro-Am Card along with her son in Riverhead, NY
    , Thu, 24 Apr 2025
  • Split-T Management Fighters Tyshawn Denson and Devon Young Advance in WBC Grand Prix Tournament
    , Thu, 24 Apr 2025
  • Verano, Cha, Oppas, Uduna, Traya, Mancito in Hot Action in Highland Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 23 Apr 2025
  • LA Wins to Level Series With Minnesota; OKC, Indiana in Commanding 2-0 Leads
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 23 Apr 2025
  • Disturbing, Eyebrow-Raising Happenings Involving Filipino Boxers
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 23 Apr 2025
  • HALL OF FAMER “THE COAL MINER’S DAUGHTER” CHRISTY MARTIN TO PARTICIPATE IN 2025 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND FESTIVITIES
    , Wed, 23 Apr 2025
  • EUBANK JR VS. BENN GRAND ARRIVALS QUOTES
    , Wed, 23 Apr 2025
  • Headlining again at home a dream come true for 16-0-1 junior middleweight Anthony Velasquez
    , Wed, 23 Apr 2025
  • Amateur Standout Stephanie Simon Signs with Split-T Boxing Management
    , Wed, 23 Apr 2025
  • The Past Week in Action 21 April 2025: Fundora KOs Badillo, Retains Undisputed Belts; Smith UD Germain; Kovalev Returns with a Win
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 22 Apr 2025
  • Bantamweight Anthony Garnica Scores TKO Against Aston Palicte to Remain Undefeated
    , Tue, 22 Apr 2025
  • Higher Seeds New York, Denver Fall in Playoffs Second Games to Detroit Pistons, LA Clippers
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Tue, 22 Apr 2025
  • Young Gildo: The Baguio Bearcat
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Tue, 22 Apr 2025
  • Filipino International Master Paulo Bersamina places solo runner-up in the 22nd Bangkok Chess Club Open in Thailand
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 22 Apr 2025




  •  



     
    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
    © 2025 philboxing.com.