Why did Teófimo López choose to fight Steve Claggett?

Teófimo López (20-1-0, 13 KO) has been open about his difficulty finding opponents, complaining loudly that nobody will face him. This Saturday, June 29, López will make his second title defense at the James L. Knight Center in Miami, facing the only fighter who stepped forward to face him, Canadian challenger Steve Claggett (38-7-2, 26 KO).

“Unlike these other supposed champions at 140, Steve Claggett is the only fighter who raised his hand and stepped forward to challenge me. No other fighter was interested in getting in the ring with me.”

The Takeover became a two-division champion at the age of 25 and is a huge fan favorite, especially in his native New York. López is known to be a flashy and talented boxer, but has faced criticism over the lackluster way that he cruised through his latest wins. This, says López, is a thing of the past. He is totally locked in for Claggett.

“I want to face the best in any division I fight in,” he said. Teofimo unified the lightweight division by ripping the WBA and WBO belts from a past-best Vasyl Lomachenko. Already the IBF champ, López stormed into the spotlight, going overnight from rising star to superstar.

He lost in his next bout to George Kambosos (21-3-0, 10 KO) and had to claw his way back. He stepped up to super lightweight and had perhaps the best fight of his career against a dull and slow Josh Taylor (19-2-0, 13 KO). López got a resounding unanimous decision to become the WBO super lightweight champion.

“Despite doubts from many people, I have overcome similar skepticism in the past, such as before my fights against Josh Taylor and Vasyl Lomachenko. Throughout my career, I have always tried to compete against the best of the best.”

Don’t underestimate Claggett

Although Claggett may be unknown to many boxing fans, Teófimo does not underestimate the Canadian. “This is going to be a tough fight. A lot of people look at Claggett’s record and think I’m going to fight a nobody, but he hasn’t lost in three years,” said López, referring to the fact that Claggett is riding a nine fight winning streak. “He’s fought against former champions, he always comes to fight and throws a lot of punches.”

“I need to be in good condition to fight a fighter like him. I can’t ignore him, get too confident and play with him. I know that this fight will be a great fight for all my people in Miami,” said López.

The Takeover, despite the adversities it encounters along the way, continues in search of great fights to continue increasing his legacy. “I’ve learned that to stay at the top, you have to train like you’ve never been there before,” concluded López, in what is perhaps a notice that he plans to climb even further.