Teofimo Lopez vs Steve Claggett image by Mikey Williams – High Rank _by_Mikey_Williams_-_Top_Rank.jpg
Steve Claggett was seeking to battle his battle and do what he does greatest as a strain fighter, and he did simply that. Whereas Claggett didn’t have his hand-held excessive after the battle, he can definitely maintain his head excessive.
Saturday evening on the James L. Knight Centre in Miami, Florida, WBO junior welterweight champion Teofimo “The Takeover” Lopez (21-1, 13 KO’s) scored a UD 12 over Calgary, Canada’s Steve “The Dragon” Claggett (38-8-2, 26 KO’s).
To say Claggett is a strain fighter can be an understatement of epic proportions. And, from 1st bell till final, he introduced all that and extra. Claggett works off a continuous offense of quantity punching and that’s precisely what he purchased to Lopez. As for Lopez, he appeared to remain within the pocket and counter with exhausting physique photographs and crisp uppercuts.
Whereas Lopez gained the battle 11-1 in rounds, he didn’t come near stopping the tenacious Claggett with last scores studying 120-108, 120-108, 119-109.
Whereas many had written off Claggett earlier than the battle as a straightforward mark for the proficient Lopez, he was something however that, regardless of the lopsided scores.
Claggett was dealing with a fighter thought-about one of the proficient in boxing. After the battle, Lopez was calling out all the highest names like Terence “Bud” Crawford and Isaac “Pit Bull” Cruz. So, it was no small victory that Claggett had simply gone the space with Lopez.
Claggett was on Lopez all evening and the scores didn’t replicate the truth of the strain and punching that Claggett introduced. And, judging by Lopez’s face after the battle, Claggett landed his justifiable share of leather-based.
In a post-fight interview, it was clear that Claggett had definitely earned the respect of Lopez.
“He’s a tricky fighter, I don’t assume anyone ought to overlook him”, stated Lopez. “Look what we gave the followers out right here”, he stated to the cheers of the South Florida crowd.
As for coping with the quantity of strain placed on him by Claggett, and the variety of punches he was pressured to throw, the tempo of the bout was not misplaced on Lopez.
“Am I within the 500 (punches) membership like Claggett”, he stated with a chuckle.
Claggett was praised after the battle by the ESPN ringside crew for an unbelievable chin, conditioning, and toughness. Nevertheless, he didn’t come right here simply to battle Lopez, he got here to beat him. So, understandably, the well-spoken, refreshingly well mannered, and humble Claggett was disillusioned.
“I might have achieved extra”, stated Claggett, “however I assumed I did greater than what they gave me”, he stated. “However the sport will not be simple and I’ll be again, I’ve nonetheless acquired extra to indicate. It was my first world title shot”.
Whereas Claggett definitely earned the respect of Lopez, and battle followers, he’s positive that one of the best is but to return.
“It’s been a protracted, exhausting highway however I’ve perseverance. I’ll hold going. It (the battle) was OK, however I’ve acquired greater than I confirmed. I’ve acquired extra capability than I confirmed. I’ve much more battle in me and I’ll be again”.
