Teofimo Lopez will defend his WBO mild welterweight title in a keep-busy contest towards Steve Claggett tonight within the 12-round headliner in a showcase battle on ESPN to assist construct the previous unified 135-lb champion’s star energy.
The primary portion of tonight’s card begins at 10:00 p.m. ET on ESPN and ESPN+ on the James L. Knight Heart in Miami, Florida.
Boxing Information 24 will give stay updates of the outcomes and motion under tonight.
– Middleweight prospect Nico Ali Walsh (11-1, 5 KOs) fought by means of a dislocated left shoulder damage to defeat Sona Akale (9-2, 4 KOs) by a six-round unanimous determination.
The scores had been 58-55, 57-56, and 57-56. Walsh knocked Akale down within the third spherical however then struggled from the fourth spherical as a result of his shoulder damage and the heavy strain being placed on him.
Within the sixth, the bone in Walsh’s left shoulder was protruding, and he couldn’t use his arm. Akale was too exhausted within the battle to take full benefit of Walsh’s damage.
After the battle, the group booed Walsh contained in the ring and continued booing as he exited.
– Gentle welterweight prospect Emiliano Vargas (11-0, 9 KOs) destroyed journeyman Jose Zaragoza (9-9-2, 3 KOs), knocking him out within the first spherical. Vargas unloaded on Zaragoza with a flurry of photographs, prompting the competition to be halted.
– In a disappointing efficiency, mild welterweight contender Elvis Rodriguez (16-1-1, 13 KOs) labored to a ten-round unanimous determination towards Jino Rodrigo (12-4-2, 10 KOs). Each fighters had been down within the first spherical.
Rodriguez gassed out after the fifth spherical and fought slowly within the second half of the battle. The scores had been 98-91, 98-91, and 97-92.
Claggett (38-7-2, 26 KOs) has many losses for a title challenger however nonetheless will get the title challenger over higher-ranked unbeaten contenders. This battle is extra window dressing to cowl Teofimo’s current poor performances.
Important Card on ESPN+ and ESPN, 10:00 pm ET
– Teofimo Lopez vs. Steve Claggett
– Robeisy Ramirez vs. Brandon Benitez
Occasion Particulars
Begin time: The Teofimo vs. Claggett occasion begins at 9:00 pm ET.
Channel: ESPN and ESPN+
Within the chief assist battle, two-time Olympic gold medalist Robeisy Ramirez fights featherweight contender Brandon Benitez (21-2, 9 KOs) in a ten-round contest.
It’s a must-win battle for the previous WBO 126-lb champion Robeisy (13-2, 8 KOs), who misplaced his earlier battle to Rafael Espinoza by a 12-round majority determination on December ninth final yr in Pembroke Pines, Florida, in an upset loss.
Teofimo’s Latest Struggles
Teofimo (20-1, 13 KOs) has had vital issues recently. He’s struggled to win fights he was alleged to dominate, however the judging saved him in his contests towards Sandor Martin and Jamaine Ortiz.
The 26-year-old Lopez can’t afford that type of efficiency towards the 34-year-old Claggett tonight as a result of that may sign that issues usually are not proper with the Teo ship. Teofimo can play it off like every part is okay, but it surely’s not.
One dangerous efficiency towards George Kambosos Jr. was one factor, however Teofimo has turned in a number of others after that battle and has solely regarded good towards a previous his-prime Josh Taylor.
Preliminary card:
– Yan Santana vs. Brandon Valdes
– Rohan Polanco vs. Luis Hernandez Ramos
– Nico Ali Walsh vs. Sona Akale
– Euri Cedeno vs. Dormedes Potes
– Lorenzo Medina vs. Colby Madison
– Bryan Polaco vs. Richard Acevedo
