Philippines, 11 Apr 2026
  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:

  • Hebert Conceicao Sousa Wins Perilous Unanimous Decision over Johan Gonzalez in Main Event of ProBoxTV from Prudential Center  in Brick City
    , Sat, 11 Apr 2026
  • ARGENTINE KO KING CHAVES FACES MADUENO IN LAS VEGAS
    , Sat, 11 Apr 2026
  • Team USA Clinches Eight Medals At 2026 Gee Bee Boxing Tournament
    , Sat, 11 Apr 2026
  • Weights From ‘Mielnicki vs. Huerta’ Event from Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City and Broadcast live on ProBoxTV
    , Sat, 11 Apr 2026
  • Boquiren to face Olmillo in RFL on April 18
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 11 Apr 2026
  • USA Opens Strong at 2026 Gee Bee Tournament In Helsinki
    , Sat, 11 Apr 2026
  • Filipino chess prodigy Nika Juris Nicolas eyes Woman International Master title
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 11 Apr 2026
  • Blazen Rocili "The Filipino Giant" Dominates in Statement Victory at "Rumble in the UNE," Improves to 10-0
    , Fri, 10 Apr 2026
  • Oppas to face Lu on April 11 in Australia
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 10 Apr 2026
  • Ilar, Infiesto to play in Guevarra Chess Cup
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 10 Apr 2026
  • Pabular to face Kitano on April 13 at Korakuen Hall
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 10 Apr 2026
  • Five reasons why IBA NOMAD 14 in Almaty is worth watching
    , Fri, 10 Apr 2026
  • Antonio bounces back in Sydney International Open Chess Championship
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 10 Apr 2026
  • Wise Owl Boxing Signs Rising Los Angeles Prospect Jahvad McDermott
    , Fri, 10 Apr 2026
  • Staying active is Magsayo’s priority
    By Joaquin Henson, , Thu, 09 Apr 2026
  • Abu Bakar ready to rumble against Singh on April 11
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 09 Apr 2026
  • Atty. Aldwin Alegre is set to compete in the 23rd Bangkok Chess Club Open 2026 to be held at the Luxurious Sheraton Hua Hin Resort and Spa, Thailand from April 11-19, 2026.
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 09 Apr 2026
  • WEIGH IN RESULTS IGLESIAS VS SILYAGIN - TOMORROW NIGHT IN MONTREAL!
    , Thu, 09 Apr 2026
  • Kristian Prenga Headlines “Crossroads in Brick City” on June 6 in Newark
    , Thu, 09 Apr 2026
  • Macala, Silva, Lopez to play in 14th Atty. Jong Guevarra Cup
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 09 Apr 2026
  • Former World Champion Miguel Berchelt Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in  Las Vegas
    , Thu, 09 Apr 2026
  • Sem Japet Enano Stuns Hometown Favorite Tyrell Adams to Claim IBO Oceania Featherweight Title
    , Thu, 09 Apr 2026
  • IBF lightweight eliminator tops IBA.PRO 17 card in Ufa
    , Thu, 09 Apr 2026
  • Biasong fights Bustrillo on April 18 in Bukidnon
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 08 Apr 2026
  • Olmillo fights Boquiren on April 18 in RFL
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 08 Apr 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.