WBO super-lightweight king Teofimo Lopez returns to the ring on June 29 when he defends his belt against Canadaโs Steve Claggett in Floridaโs James L. Knight Center.
The Calgary title challenger may be a bit of a mystery to some, but despite the seven losses on his record, Claggett is strong and capable of giving Lopez a run for his money.
โThis is like a Rocky Balboa story for Steve Claggett,โ stated Lopez, attempting to dodge patronising territory. โIโm very much looking forward to what kind of style Iโm going to see. There were no other fighters who were interested in fighting me, and I felt like he would give not just me, but the fans as well, a great fight to watch.โ
One of the fighters people were interested in seeing Lopez fight is Puerto Rican punisher Subriel Matias, who defends his own IBF strap on June 15.ย
Matias is signed with Matchroom, and Lopez with Top Rank, so promotional logistics could be hard to move around in that case. Keyshawn Davis has been vocal about his desire to tackle Teo and that could be next, providing Claggett is dealt with first.
Lopez, of Honduran descent, was raised in New York before relocating to Florida and beyond. Now, he gets a chance to impress a local crowd with his skills. Claggettโs come-forward style is perfect for Teo to look good against.
โI have always wanted to fight in South Florida, where I grew up and developed as a fighter,โ Lopez continued.ย
โI never thought it would happen, but now, on June 29, I get the opportunity to do so not just as a world champion but as the lineal world champion of my division.ย
โThis has been one of my goals since turning pro, and Iโm motivated to showcase my talent there in front of my Honduran fans and the entire Latino community.โ
Keeping busy on Eye of the Tiger shows has benefitted Claggett who is on a nine-fight winning streak since losing to Mathieu Germain in 2021.ย
โThe Dragonโ rebounded three months after that loss by beating Emanuel Lopez. Beating another Lopez would take his career to an unprecedented level, given his achievements so far.
โI have worked my entire life for this opportunity, and I intend to make the most of it. I am more motivated than ever before, and Iโm ready to give it everything Iโve got,โ said the challenger.
Supporting Lopez and Claggett is Robeisy Ramirez, who returns to the ring for the first time since losing his WBO featherweight title to unheralded Mexican Rafael Espinoza.
โLast December, we put on an action-packed battle, a worthy โFight of the Yearโ candidate,โ said the Cuban, referencing his brawl with the relentless Espinoza.ย
โWhile the result was unexpected, we also proved to the boxing world just how amazing a Miami crowd can be.ย
โOn June 29, I will begin my quest to recapture my world title and return to the top, where I know I belong. Itโs Cuba vs. Mexico again, and Iโm excited to have the loyal support of the Cuban community of Miami.โ
It is indeed Cuba vs. Mexico, and the Mexican, this time, is Brandon Leon Benitez. He has won 21 of his 23 outings and defeated Can Xu three fights ago, which is reasonable recent form. However, both of his losses have been by stoppage, so hard-punching Ramirez will no doubt target that vulnerability.
โIโm grateful for the opportunity to show that I belong among the best of the division. But I want Robeisy Ramirez to know that this is nothing new to me. I know what itโs like to go on enemy turf against a tough former world champion,โ said Benitez.
โLike I did with Can, Iโm going to make it a tough night for Ramirez. I respect him as a fighter, but as soon as I get in the ring, Iโm not going to stop throwing punches until my hand is raised.โ
Putting down his ESPN microphone to return to action, Nico Ali Walsh gets the chance to avenge his sole career loss by rematching Sona Akale. It will be fought over either six or eight rounds. The exact duration is unclear at the time of writing.
Undefeated Dominican prospect Rohan Polanco takes on Mexicoโs Luis Hernandez over eight rounds on the Florida undercard.ย
Another unbeaten (one draw) Dominican, Euri Cedeno, steps into the ring for an eight-rounder against Colombiaโs Dormedes Potes.
Yan Santana has knocked out every opponent heโs faced so far. He now faces Brandon Valdes in a 10-round contest.
Heavyweight Lorenzo Medina tackles Colby Madison over six and Puerto Ricoโs Bryan โThe Hunterโ Polaco faces Richard Acevedo, also over six.