Teofimo Lopez vs Steve Claggett image by Mikey Williams – High Rank _by_Mikey_Williams_-_Top_Rank.jpg
Steve Claggett was trying to battle his battle and do what he does finest as a stress fighter, and he did simply that. Whereas Claggett didn’t have his handheld excessive after the battle, he can actually maintain his head excessive.
Saturday night time 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 stress fighter could 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 onerous physique pictures and crisp uppercuts.
Whereas Lopez gained the battle 11-1 in rounds, he didn’t come near stopping the tenacious Claggett with remaining 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 going through a fighter thought of 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 gap with Lopez.
Claggett was on Lopez all night time and the scores didn’t replicate the truth of the stress 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 actually 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 stress placed on him by Claggett, and the variety of punches he was compelled 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. Nonetheless, 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 upset.
“I might have performed extra”, stated Claggett, “however I assumed I did greater than what they gave me”, he stated. “However the recreation is just not straightforward and I’ll be again, I’ve nonetheless acquired extra to point out. It was my first world title shot”.
Whereas Claggett actually earned the respect of Lopez, and battle followers, he’s positive that the most effective is but to come back.
“It’s been a protracted, onerous street however I’ve perseverance. I’ll preserve going. It (the battle) was OK, however I’ve acquired greater than I confirmed. I’ve acquired extra means than I confirmed. I’ve much more battle in me and I’ll be again”.
