By: Sean Crose
Teofimo Lopez defended his WBO junior welterweight title in opposition to the 38-7-2 Steve Claggett Saturday evening in Miami. Although he was anticipated to win, the 20-1 Lopez had a lot driving on his efficiency in opposition to Claggett, for quite a few excessive profile fights loomed simply over the horizon. Claggett had a formidable first whereas Lopez seemed to be surveying the terrain. Lopez remained cautious in the preliminary half of the second, however began to show up the quantity in the later half of the chapter. By the third, Lopez was combating extra comfortably, and was in a position to land clear.
The defending champion really began to tag his man in the fourth. To his credit score, nevertheless, Claggett stored pushing ahead. Now fully in management, Lopez was in a position to choose his photographs in the fifth. The backside line was that the American was just too sturdy for the sport Canadian challenger. With that being mentioned, the veteran Claggett was aggressive and expert sufficient to erase any doubt that he was a certified challenger for Lopez’ title.
By the halfway level of the battle, issues had settled into a distinct sample: Claggett would come ahead behind a jab whereas Lopez employed a relaxed, at instances even Mayweatheresque, defensive place, parrying and touchdown onerous at will. The seventh had Lopez zipping stinging jabs at the nonetheless aggressive Claggett. Lopez damage Claggett in the eighth – sufficient that it was price questioning what the challenger had left. With that in thoughts, nevertheless, Claggett continued to maintain urgent onward.
By the ninth, it was clear Lopez was having a simple evening for himself, as Claggett’s sheer toughness might need been the solely motive the 140 pound champion wasn’t attempting to complete his man off. Indeed, Lopez took to throwing his photographs in a quick and livid method at the finish of the tenth. The eleventh continued to indicate the appreciable distinction in ability and energy between the two combatants. By the twelfth and closing spherical, Claggett seemed to be operating out of steam. No matter. Lopez had put on a clinic the whole battle, one which was acknowledged by the judges by way of a unanimous determination win.
*Images: Top Rank
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