MIAMI, FL — They appear to be ceaselessly in pursuit of extra, as a result of they really feel extra is predicted. It’s in all probability why Teofimo Lopez Jr. is likely one of the greatest fighters on the planet, and why he and his father, Teofimo Lopez Sr., The Ring Journal and BWAA 2020 Coach of the Yr, push so onerous to interrupt via new thresholds.
Crew Lopez’s new restrict is getting up for somebody he ought to simply beat—Canadian contender Steve Claggett (38-7-2, 26 knockouts) this Saturday night time from the James L. Knight Heart in Miami, Florida.
Lopez Jr. (20-1, 13 KOs) can be defending the WBO and Ring Journal junior welterweight world titles for the second time after profitable the WBO and Ring Journal titles in his dominant victory over beforehand undefeated Josh Taylor in June 2023.
The principle occasion can be broadcast dwell on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. Sky Sports activities will broadcast the occasion within the UK and Eire.
For Crew Lopez, the purpose is to placed on a present.
“I bear in mind waking up my son 10 minutes earlier than the WBO deadline was up after he stated he would retire after the Taylor battle,” Teofimo Sr. stated. “My son was severe about retiring. The WBO was going to vacate the title, and Devin Haney was going to take over the vacant title and battle Arnold Barboza Jr. My son stated he was not about at hand over the title to Haney and maintain handing him issues.
“Teo referred to as the WBO and advised them he was not going to retire. That ended it, however it’s how shut it was. We wished to battle Devin Haney, and it’s why he wished to battle Regis Prograis. Nobody anticipated us to beat Josh Taylor. After we did, we noticed what occurred. Boxing is making an attempt to do away with my son.”
It doesn’t seem like that may occur.
Lopez Jr. beat Jamaine Ortiz by unanimous choice earlier this 12 months, however Ortiz ran the entire night time.
Crew Lopez spoke brazenly in regards to the respect that they’ve for Claggett, first for taking the battle, and secondly for his come-forward fashion. Ortiz was uncharacteristically cautious, scared of Lopez’s energy. Claggett, 35, is on a three-year, nine-fight profitable streak. He beat Marcos Gonzalez by second-round kayo in January.
He’s a quantity puncher. Over his final 4 fights, Claggett averaged 102.7 punches thrown a spherical, to Lopez Jr.’s 43.3. However Claggett has by no means confronted anybody just like the 26-year-old Lopez.
“If you happen to do not need the ability to maintain this man off of you, Claggett can be in your face the entire night time,” Lopez Sr. stated. “We respect him. He’ll come to battle, not run like Ortiz did. He has not misplaced a battle since 2021. Guys like Claggett are harmful. My son might want to field the hell out of him to beat him.
“And he’ll.”
Teofimo Jr. is hoping to get the perfect model of Claggett. The 140-pound world champion’s purpose is to battle two extra instances in 2024. He desires to be extra lively, seeking to battle as soon as extra in September and probably yet one more in November or December.
The consensus is that Lopez Jr. will stroll over Claggett, however as a professional fighter, he can not have that angle.
“I’ve to bear in mind everybody desires what I’ve, and I’ve probably the most prestigious belt in boxing, The Ring belt,” Lopez Jr. stated. “This man has a stable background. His losses got here by choice. What I battle probably the most internally, as onerous as it’s to get to the highest, is preserving in thoughts each time I get within the ring means extra.
“There are lots of people impressed by me. I acquire extra followers and extra respect by profitable. Boxing is larger than me and I do know that. You’re feeling the strain, and you understand what they are saying, strain makes diamonds. I like the place that I’m in, I do know nobody can do what I do.
“I do know quite a lot of fighters on the market don’t respect the game like I do. That bothers me. I’ve put loads much less pressure on myself. I discovered to cope with strain. I’m having much more enjoyable, and it has made me a greater fighter.”
Teofimo Lopez lands a physique shot in opposition to Josh Taylor throughout their Ring Journal/WBO junior welterweight championship at The Hulu Theater at Madison Sq. Backyard on June 10, 2023 in New York Metropolis. (Photograph by Mikey Williams/Prime Rank Inc through Getty Photos)
That was most evident in Lopez Jr.’s victory over Taylor. Many erroneously recommended he would have a psychological breakdown and be chewed up. These near him knew in any other case.
Lopez Jr. is definitely a genius. He loves when boxing’s cognoscenti doubt him, like they did earlier than his battle in opposition to Vasiliy Lomachenko.
After the loss to George Kambosos, Lopez Sr. discovered a tape of his son’s previous fights. He modified the best way he educated his son, and what they rediscovered was “The Takeover’s” alter ego, “slick boxer Gordo.” He was again in opposition to Taylor. Teo Jr. was relaxed. Assured. Decided. That translated into his simple defeat over Taylor.
“I’m in an excellent place, my father and my household are in an excellent place, and I’m rewarding myself with my onerous work and my ethics, and I needed to lose to win,” Lopez Jr. “That loss to Kambosos introduced out the perfect model of me. I need to present these younger youngsters this good swag. I even have extra management of myself.
“I’m coping with issues in a extra managed method. My focus is bigger, my self-control is much, much better. That comes from understanding myself extra. I ought to have by no means fought Kambosos that night time. I risked my life that night time. I misplaced my underdog mentality after I beat Lomachenko.
“I’ve it again now.”
He doesn’t need to handpick anybody sooner or later. He desires to set his sole deal with Claggett.
“I nonetheless have loads to study,” he stated. “I’m on prime of the 140-pound class. I would like two extra fights after this. Prime Rank desires to provide me yet one more, and I perceive that in my contract. I need to push for 4. We’ll see what I’m allowed to do.
“I additionally have to get this in about my father. I like him. He wants his flowers, understanding what he has carried out for me and on this sport. He was Coach of the Yr and I don’t imagine he will get the credit score he deserves. My father is a good coach. He gained the Eddie Futch award. He has not had a drink in over 50 days, and you may print that. He’s altering his methods, and we’re speaking about somebody who was consuming since he was 12.
“He noticed the course I used to be going, and he modified that. What number of trainers will do this? Not many. My father did that. You need to be a person to confess you made a mistake. He noticed one thing and corrected it. We’re a workforce. Boxing has made us evolve as folks out and in of the ring. He’s the rationale why I’m on prime. We’re a profitable father-son duo.”
Joseph Santoliquito is a Corridor of Fame, award-winning sportswriter who has been working for Ring Journal/RingTV.com since October 1997 and is the president of the Boxing Writers Affiliation of America.
Observe @JSantoliquito
