BOXING
How many titles has Teófimo López won and what is his professional record?
Teófimo López makes his second title defense against Steve Claggett in Miami Beach this Saturday, as the WBO Super Lightweight belt is on the line.
Teofimo Lopez and Steve Claggett will go to war in just the second title defense for the Brooklyn champ since taking it off Josh Taylor last year.
The American fighter will be looking for a more emphatic defese of his WBO super lightweight belt after a tepid performance against Jamaine Ortiz in February. Lopez will want to prove a point by handling the Canadian a convincing win after just nicking the last two bouts in fights that were too close for comfort.
Teofimo’s only loss was to George Kambosos Jr, although his title win over Spaniard Sandor Martín was controversial after López was awarded a split decision win by the judges in another close shave.
Former unified lightweight champion
López may draw criticism for not showing his best level in his last fights and that inconsistency is something that as a defending world champion he has to put to rest. Combine that with the fact that Claggett is seen as something of a Rocky Balboa character, a reference made by López himself, and this could be a tough test for the Brooklyn native.
With a record of 20-1, Teofimo is a former unified lightweight world champion, having held the International Boxing Federation (IBF) title from 2019 to 2021, and the World Boxing Association (WBA), World Boxing Organization (WBO), and The Ring magazine titles from 2020 until 2021.
He became the undisputed champion by pulling off the upset against Vasiliy Lomachenko via unanimous decision in October 2020. He suffered his only defeat against George Kambosos Jr. one year later, losing all the belts to the Australian.