The James L. Knight Centre in Miami Beach is the setting for world title action on Saturday, as Teofimo Lopez looks to move on to bigger opportunities by defending his WBO super lightweight title against Steve Claggett.
Top Rank promote Lopez vs Claggett, Sky Sports televise in the UK, and ESPN hold the USA broadcasting rights.
Lopez (20-1, 13 KOs) shocked many when adding Vasyl Lomachenko’s WBA (Super) and WBO lightweight titles to his IBF crown in October 2020 via clear decision, but was then humbled by George Kambosos Jr in his very next fight in a split decision loss.
‘The Takeover’ responded by moving to super lightweight, but after an opening win at the weight, he was dropped before taking a dour split win against Sandor Martin in December 2022. Few expected him to get the better of Josh Taylor on that evidence, but Lopez again produced when it mattered, bossing the Scot and taking the WBO world title on the cards.
His first defence was another scrappy affair though, as he outscored Jamaine Ortiz in February, and he must bide his time for big fights here against an underwhelming opponent in Claggett (38-7-2, 26 KOs).
The Canadian suffered plenty of early career losses, but is unbeaten in nine since a 2021 loss to Mathieu Germain. He built a ranking with a points win over Miguel Madueno in November 2023, taking thevacant WBO International title, and warmed up for this one with a second round retirement win against Marcos Gonzalez Berraza.
Prediction: Lopez will have an eye on bigger and better things, but I’m sure he won’t overlook Claggett. I fancy Lopez to do a professional job, and remove Claggett from battle somewhere around halfway.
It’s lights out when @TeofimoLopez is in the ring 💡#TeofimoClaggett | JUN 29 | @ESPN pic.twitter.com/wE49ZPf8JD
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) June 27, 2024
Ramirez looks to get back in the win column
Robeisy Ramirez (13-2, 8 KOs) makes a comeback from the loss of his WBO featherweight title last time out, and the Cuban faces Brandon Leon Benitez (21-2, 9 KOs) over ten rounds. Ramirez was upset by Rafael Espinoza last December, dropped in the final round before losing via majority decision.
Benitez is on a run of seven straight wins since a 2019 knockout loss to Saul Sanchez, and I think he will suffer the same fate here, with Ramirez returning with an early win.
Full undercard preview:
Also at featherweight, Yan Santana (11-0, 11 KOs) goes up to ten round level for the first time, and the Dominican can win inside schedule once more, this time against Brandon Valdes (15-4, 7 KOs). In the final ten rounder, super lightweight prospect Elvis Rodriguez (15-1-1, 13 KOs) can follow up his impressive win against Vitor Postol by halting Jino Rodrigo (12-3-2, 10 KOs).
In eight rounders, welterweight hope Rohan Polanco (12-0, 7 KOs) can outscore Luis Hernandez Ramos (23-4, 20 KOs), and at middleweight, Euri Cedeno (8-0-1, 7 KOs) can do the same against Dormedes Potes (14-6-1, 10 KOs).
HOW DID HE GET UP FROM THAT UPPERCUT? 😨 pic.twitter.com/cBddxzOkNh
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) March 3, 2024
Also at middleweight, Nico Ali Walsh (9-1, 5 KOs) gets a rematch against Sona Akale (9-1, 4 KOs), this time over eight rounds. The grandson of the legend can avenge that loss on the cards. Emiliano Vargas (10-0, 8 KOs) can take another early win, this time against Jose Zaragoza (9-8-2, 3 KOs) at super lightweight.
The sole six rounder comes at heavyweight, where Lorenzo Medina (10-0, 9 KOs) can halt Detrailous Webster (7-3, 3 KOs).
