Teofimo Lopez’s father, Teo Sr, Predicts his son will punish his stay-busy opponent, Steve Claggett, like he’s by no means accomplished earlier than this Saturday evening on the James L. Knight Middle in Miami.
(Courtesy: Mikey Williams/Prime Rank)
Social media followers haven’t proven a lot curiosity in Teofimo’s showcase combat in opposition to Claggett, and it’s apparent why. They need to see Teofimo combat high quality opposition and are uninterested in seeing him repeatedly matched in opposition to safer fighters.
His final combat in opposition to Jamaine Ortiz was a cherry-pick gone improper. Teofimo received schooled for twelve rounds in opposition to a fringe contender he was speculated to beat.
I watched the combat and had Ortiz profitable 10-2, and it was embarrassing to see how inept Teofimo appeared in that combat. The quicker and extra technically gifted Ortiz beat him in each trade.
Prime Rank is taking part in it secure with the 26-year-old Teofimo after he was arguably crushed in his final combat by Jamaine Ortiz however was given a controversial 12-round unanimous choice win final February in Paradise, Nevada.
One other worrisome efficiency by Teofimo means that he’s misplaced one thing from his sport after his loss to George Kambosos Jr. and his struggle with Vasily Lomachenko.
Matching Teofimo in opposition to fringe contender Claggett is a method for Prime Rank to maintain him briefly profitable for a short time longer, however clearly, it’s not a everlasting repair. It’s like utilizing sealant spray on a flat tire. Teofimo seems like a damaged fighter.
The issues will nonetheless be there for Teofimo as soon as Prime Rank matches him in opposition to high quality opposition. His final efficiency in opposition to Jamaine Ortiz, a fringe contender, confirmed that he’s incapable of beating good opposition, which is without doubt one of the causes he’s being matched in opposition to Claggett. It’s to guard him.
Lopez (20-1, 13 KOs) is defending his WBO gentle welterweight title in opposition to the 34-year-old Claggett (38-7-2, 26 KOs) within the twelve-round essential occasion. The telecast beings at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 P.M. PT on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.
“The quantity of punishment my son goes to provide this man. He’s by no means seen nothing prefer it,” stated Teofimo Lopez Sr., the daddy of Teo, speaking concerning the little-known fringe contender opponent, Steve Claggett, whom he’s combating this Saturday evening on ESPN.
“We take all our fights severe, and also you’re going to see the very best Teofimo Lopez. That is the very best combat he’s ever had the place he’s going to point out all his abilities.”
Contemplating the low degree of opposition that Teofimo is combating this Saturday, he’d higher do a superb job of beating Claggett. If Teo struggles in opposition to this man, Prime Rank might want to begin enthusiastic about placing him in a cash-out combat after which reducing him free to give attention to fighters with true capability.
“I don’t need to say I’m in my prime but. I believe it’s too quickly, I’m solely 26,” Teofimo Lopez stated to Prime Rank Boxing. “I believe it’s method too quickly to speak like that. I believe I’ll hit my true prime at 28. We received like one other 12 months or so to see that come by.”
Teofimo’s prime was 4 years in the past when he beat an injured Vasily Lomachenko by an in depth 12-round unanimous choice in October 2020. Since that combat, Teofimo has been in free fall, heading downhill, shedding to Kambosos, and getting reward choices over Sandor Martin and Jamaine Ortiz in fights many individuals felt he misplaced.
The one true wins for Teofimo within the final 4 years have been in opposition to a washed-up Josh Taylor and journeyman Pedro Campa. That’s it—simply these two. Teofimo’s file ought to be 2-3 in his final 5 fights as an alternative of 4-1.
Prime Rank should do one thing with Teofimo as a result of they’ll’t maintain matching him in opposition to lower-level fighters like Claggett with out his recognition dropping off to nothing.
