Teofimo Lopez Outlasts Steve Claggett in Miami

Teofimo Lopez, who now fights under the flag of Spain as a tribute to his grandfather, successfully defended his WBO and Ring Magazine titles against Canadian contender Steve Claggett of Calgary, Alberta, Canada (38-8-2, 26 KOs).

Lopez of Brooklyn (22-1, 13 KOs) dominated the scorecards into a determined but outgunned Claggett, winning with scores of 120-108, 120-108, and 119-109.

“What can I say? I knew exactly what kind of fighter this guy is,” said Lopez. “I’m just very grateful, really. He’s a tough fighter, no one should overlook him. Look what we gave the fans out here. let’s go, guys! I think he did good, he handled himself.

“It was just a battle of who wants it more,” continued Lopez. “That’s what I like underdogs like him. I like that push. That’s what great champions do. They stay there. They don’t say no mas.”

Steve Claggett stood up to everything Teofimo Lopez could dish out. Photo: Mikey Williams, Top Rank Boxing

At 35 years old, Claggett is an impressive volume puncher. He’s the type of fighter Lopez likes to face, a man coming right at him. He’s also a sturdy fighter, and although he got rattled by uppercuts here and there throughout the fight, Lopez was content to blast Claggett and back him up without trying to shut him down and stop him.

Claggett made Lopez work. Lopez threw a record 100 punches in the fourth round, landing 29 of those punches. By the end of 12 rounds, Lopez had landed his all-time high punch output, 315 of 946 punches thrown.

Teofimo Lopez found the target with ease against Steve Claggett, but couldn't find the power to take him out. Photo: Mikey Williams, Top Rank Boxing

Lopez used side-to-side footwork to steer clear of Claggett, dishing out shots from angles and backing Claggett up to give himself space to work. By the third round, Lopez had room to deploy uppercuts and body shots and kept Claggett at bay. He remained content to keep him there to the final bell.

Teofimo Lopez Moving Up?

As to what’s ahead for Lopez, it appears he might bypass his expected matchups against Vasiliy Lomachenko or Shakur Stevenson, as Lopez said his body “is growing” and indicated he might move up to the 147-pound division. But Lopez isn’t carrying as much power with him. Claggett couldn't have made it to the final bell otherwise. Lopez Jr. and his father/trainer, Teofimo Sr., might want to reconsider this notion.

Ramirez Headed For Rematch Against Espinoza

Robiesy Ramirez scored an impressive fourth round knockout with an uppercut. Bring on Rafael Espinoza. Photo: Mikey Williams, Top Rank Boxing

Former world featherweight champion Robeisy Ramirez of Cuba (14-2, 9 KOs) teed up a rematch against WBO champion Rafael Espinoza in spectacular style, knocking out Brandon Leon Benitez of Mexico (21-3, 9 KOs) in the seventh round. Ramirez split the guard with a massive uppercut right on the money. Benitez never saw it coming, and those are the punches that hurt the most. Time of the stoppage was 2:46 of the round.

Ramirez pummeled a game but outgunned Benitez throughout the fight with Cuban school fundamentals, fueled by his power punching. It couldn’t have been a better comeback for Ramirez.

Ramirez said trainer Ismael Salas told him just to touch him and, if there was an opportunity, get him. “That’s exactly what happened. When the punch opened up, I saw the opening, and I took it. When you see your opponent fall in that fashion, that means the job is complete.”

In what many boxing media called the 2023 Fight of the Year, Espinoza won an upset victory in a thrilling all-action fight last December. Espinoza won a spectacular fourth-round knockout victory last week, mowing down Sergio Chirino of Mexico.

“Ultimately, my goal is to unify the belts, but first, I’ve got to get a belt. If I get the rematch against Rafael Espinoza, that’s job one. Then I can look forward to unifying,” said Ramirez. Bring it on, Top Rank.

Ali Walsh Dishes Out Revenge Against Akale

Nico Ali Walsh avenged the single loss on his record with a decision over Sona Akale. Photo: Mikey Williams, Top Rank Boxing

Middleweight prospect Nico Ali Walsh of Las Vegas (11-1, 5 KOs) got his revenge in his rematch against Sona Akale of St. Paul, Minnesota (9-2, 4 KOs). Ali Walsh suffered his first loss in a controversial decision against Akale last August in Tulsa. On Saturday, Ali Walsh prevailed in large part thanks to a third-round left hook knockdown, but the Miami fans took issue with the win for Ali Walsh. Scores were 58-55 and 57-56 twice.

Ali Walsh survived a sixth round with a dislocated shoulder. He turned southpaw in order to protect himself. Akale and his corner seemed unaware of the injury and didn’t try to capitalize on it. Ali Walsh laid into Akale and the crowd in his remarks after the win.

There is no love lost between Nico Ali Walsh and Sona Akale. Photo: Mikey Williams, Top Rank Boxing

“I don’t know what happened. I’ve never been through anything like that. It popped out, but I survived and I definitely beat Akale,” said Ali Walsh. “It feels like if it would have happened to him, he would have sat on the ground and cried like a baby.”

Ali Walsh clapped back at his critics who he says claim he’s in boxing “only for money and fame,” saying he turned down a multi-million dollar contract to fight influencer turned pro boxer Jake Paul because he refuses to pursue the “circus” boxing circuit.

Undercard Winners: Vargas, Rodriguez, Polanco

It was supposed to be a step up in opposition and his first eight round bout, but Emiliano Vargas took care of Jose Zaragosa in a single round. Photo: Mikey Williams, Top Rank Boxing

Junior welterweight Emiliano Fernando Vargas of Las Vegas (11-0, 9 KOs) continues to look impressive. In his first scheduled eight-rounder against veteran Jose Zaragoza of Mexico (9-9-2, 3 KOs), Vargas needed just 1:32 of the first round to take out Zaragosa.

Vargas went straight at his opponent, dropping Zaragosa with a hard right hook. He followed up after the count with lead uppercuts setting up for a body shot, but referee Luis Pabon stepped in before Vargas could make it stick.

Elvis Rodriguez had to overcome an early knockdown for a victory. Photo: Mikey Williams, Top Rank Boxing

Junior welterweight contender Elvis Rodriguez of the Dominican Republic (16-1-1, 13 KOs), who recently re-signed with Top Rank, traveled a rough road to a decision over veteran Jino Rodrigo of the Philippines (12-4-2, 10 KOs). Rodriguez drew some heat from Rodrigo, suffering a knockdown in the first round. He was hit a little too much for trainer Freddie Roach’s liking but settled down to a solid performance, and still won by wide scores of 98-91, 98-91, and 97-92.

Rohan Polanco needed just two rounds to get the win over Luis Hernandez. Photo: Mikey Williams, Top Rank Boxing

Rohan Polanco of the Dominican Republic (13-0, 8 KOs) needs just two rounds of his scheduled eight-round junior welterweight bout against veteran Luis Hernandez of Mexico (23-5, 20 KOs). It was a sharp performance for Polanco against a step up in opposition.

Yan Santana remained undefeated with his win over Brandon Valdes. Photo: Mikey Williams, Top Rank Boxing

Featherweight Yan Santana of the DR (12-0, 11 KOs) needed all ten rounds, going the distance for the first time as a pro against Brandon Valdez of Colombia (15-5, 7 KOs). Santana scored a knockdown in the first round and went on for 98-91 on two scorecards and 96-93 on the third.

The big men put on a show, with Lorenzo Medina remaining undefeated against Detrailous Webster. Photo: Mikey Williams, Top Rank Boxing

Heavyweight prospect Lorenzo Medina of Miami (11-0, 9 KOs) remained undefeated with a decision win over Detralious Webster of Mississippi (7-4, 3 KOs). Scores were 60-53, 60-54, and 59-55.