Teofimo Lopez will defend WBO and Ring Magazine super lightweight titles against the unheralded Steve Claggett on June 29 before hopefully turning his attention to bigger game in 2024. The 12-round bout, plus undercard action, will air on ESPN+ in the U.S.
Lopez (20-1) has accomplished so much at a young age. The 26-year-old dethroned Vasiliy Lomachenko in 2020 to become the unified lightweight champion. Losing the belts a year later to George Kambosos Jr., "The Takeover" moved up to 140 pounds and has won four straight since. He beat Josh Taylor for the WBO and Ring super lightweight belts in May of last year.
The Brooklyn-born fighter's legacy is already established. However, he is far from done and seeks massive fights including a dream contest with pound-for-pound great Terence Crawford.
“I don’t want to say I’m in my prime yet. I think it’s too soon, I’m only 26,” Lopez told Top Rank via Bad Left Hook. “I think it’s way too soon to talk like that. I think I’ll hit my true prime at like 28. We got like another year or so to see that come through.
WATCH: Teofimo Lopez vs. Steve Claggett, exclusively on ESPN+
“But at least at this moment in time, I’m feeling a huge difference. I’m being more fluid, I’m breaking down these fighters that I’m sparring with lately just with rhythm and timing.”
Claggett (38-7-2), a NABF super lightweight champion, fights for world title gold for the first time. He is on a nine-fight win streak since 2021.
On the undercard, a former champion looks to hold gold again, while the grandson of a legend wants to avenge the lone loss of his young career.
Teofimo Lopez vs. Steve Claggett undercard
Here’s a breakdown of all the action on the Lopez vs. Claggett card.
Robeisy Ramirez vs. Brandon Leon Benitez
- Division/Weight: Featherweight
- Ramirez record: 13-2
- Benitez record: 21-2
- Belts at stake: N/A
The co-main event will see Robeisy Ramirez vs. Brandon Leon Benitez.
A two-time Olympic gold medalist for Cuba, Ramirez (13-2) is a former WBO featherweight champion, beating Isaac Dogboe at the start of 2023 but losing it to Rafael Espinoza to end the year. Both fighters were knocked down, but Ramirez fell short and is now ready for a comeback.
“Getting my world title back is my mission right now. Throughout my life and boxing career, I have always used setbacks as motivation. This time is no different,” Ramirez said. “I just want my loyal fans to know that this journey is far from over. I will be world champion before the end of the year, and this comeback will be legendary.”
Benitez (21-2) has won seven straight fights since 2019. The Mexican fighter with nine wins via knockout is ranked fourth by the WBO and looks to overthrow the former champion in the rankings.
MORE: Exclusive: Teofimo Lopez ready for early night against Claggett
Nico Ali Walsh vs. Sona Akale 2
- Division/Weight: Middleweight
- Ali Walsh record: 9-1
- Akale record: 9-1
- Belts at stake: N/A
Nico Ali Walsh and Sona Akale compete in a rematch to open the ESPN+ main card.
The grandson of Muhammad Ali, Walsh (9-1) turned pro in 2021. A draw was overturned when opponent Danny Rosenberger failed a drug test, but the 23-year-old suffered a tight decision loss to Akale in August. He rebounded in March and now looks to avenge the only loss of his young career.
Akale (9-1) is on a two-fight win streak. He has four wins via knockout and looks to prove his win over Walsh was no fluke.
Yan Santana vs Brandon Valdes
- Division/Weight: Featherweight
- Santana record: 11-0
- Valdes record: 15-4
- Belts at stake: N/A
Yan Santana faces Brandon Valdes.
Santana (11-0) is a rising Dominican prospect who has won all his fights via knockout. This will be his first time competing in the U.S. against an opponent with plenty of experience.
Valdes (15-4) is 2-2 in his last four fights. The 25-year-old last fought in September, losing a hard-hitting affair against battle-tested Ruben Villa.
Elvis Rodriguez vs. Jino Rodrigo
- Division/Weight: Super Lightweight
- Rodriguez record: 15-1-1
- Rodrigo record: 12-3-2
- Belts at stake: N/A
Further down the card is Elvis Rodriguez vs. Jino Rodrigo.
Rodriguez (15-1-1) lost for the first time in 2021, to Kenneth Sims Jr., and has won four straight since. The 28-year-old, known as "The Dominican Kid," put former champ Viktor Postol down in the sixth round of their fight before ending it in the seventh.
Rodrigo (12-3-2) has won three straight, with all three contests ending via knockout. The Filipino has 10 wins via knockout.
MORE: Top 12 super lightweights in boxing
Rohan Polanco vs. Luis Hernandez Ramos
- Division/Weight: Welterweight
- Polanco record: 12-0
- Ramos record: 23-4
- Belts at stake: N/A
Rohan Polanco faces Luis Hernandez Ramos.
A 2020 Olympian for the Dominican Republic, Polanco (12-0) has won seven fights via knockout. He looks to thrive on a high-profile card and go 2-0 in 2024.
Ramos (23-4) is 2-3 in his last five fights. He has won all but three contests in his career via knockout.
Euri Cedeno vs. Dormedes Potes
- Division/Weight: Middleweight
- Cedeno record: 8-0-1
- Potes record: 14-6-1
- Belts at stake: N/A
Euri Cedeno and Dormedes Potes compete at middleweight.
A Central American and Caribbean Games bronze medalist, Cedeno (8-0-1) has won all but one fight via knockout. The Air Force private is ready to go 2-0 in 2024.
Potes (14-6-1) is 2-2 in his last four fights and he's on a two-fight losing streak. The Colombian has 10 wins via knockout.
Emiliano Vargas vs. Jose Zaragoza
- Division/Weight: Super Lightweight
- Vargas record: 10-0
- Zaragoza record: 9-8-2
- Belts at stake: N/A
Emiliano Vargas faces Jose Zaragoza.
One of boxing's top prospects, Emiliano (10-0) is the son of former world champion Fernando Vargas. He has eight wins via knockouts and looks to go 3-0 in 2024.
MORE: Who wins Teofimo Lopez vs. Steve Claggett?
Zaragoza (9-8-2) has not won a fight since 2022. He is 0-3-1 in his last four contests and has suffered losses to some of boxing's top prospects.
Lorenzo Medina vs. Detrailous Webster
- Division/Weight: Heavyweight
- Medina record: 10-0
- Webster record: 7-3
- Belts at stake: N/A
Finally, Lorenzo Medina faces Detrailous Webster.
Nicknamed "Giant Killer," Medina (10-0), standing at 6-2, is a force. The Florida native has won all but one fight via knockout.
Webster (7-3) is 2-2 in his last four fights and is already 1-1 in 2024. Outside of boxing, Webster is 0-0-1 in bare-knuckle action.
Teofimo Lopez vs. Steve Claggett tune-in info
- Date: Saturday, June 29
- Location: James L. Knight Center — Miami, Florida
- Start time: 10 p.m. ET (12 a.m. ET for main event) | 3 a.m BST (Sun) | 12:00 p.m. AEST (Sun)
- How to watch: ESPN+ in the U.S. ($10.99 for a monthly subscription / annual subscription for $109.99) | Sky Sports in the U.K. | TSN+ in Canada | Kayo in Australia
Lopez vs. Claggett is set for Saturday, June 29 from the James L. Knight Center in Miami, Florida. The main card will start at 10 p.m. ET and the main event is expected to start around midnight ET. Fans can watch the fight on ESPN+.
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