Teofimo Lopez is preparing to defend his WBO super-lightweight title against Steve Claggett later this month, and he’s sent out a fiery message to his 140lb rivals ahead of the fight.
Lopez puts his belt on the line against Claggett at the James L Knight Center in Miami on June 29, in a bout that had been criticised by some onlookers, who feel it isn’t the stellar clash they wanted to see Teofimo part of.
The defending champion has now hit back at those claims, stating that it will be a difficult contest against Claggett, and insisting that the blame lies totally with others in the division who refused to face him.
“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. He has fought former champions.
“He always comes to fight and throws a lot of punches. I need to be in great condition to battle a fighter like him. I can’t overlook him, get overconfident, and play around with him. I know this fight will be great for all my people in Miami.
“Unlike these other supposed champs at 140, Steve Claggett is the only fighter who raised his hand and stepped up to challenge me. No other fighters were interested in getting in the ring with me. These other fighters want me to help them make a name for themselves.
“Although people don’t know much about him, Claggett is very tough and always comes to fight. I want to face fighters like that. I don’t want to face fighters who talk a lot and are just trying to become famous, like my last opponent. I hit him in the second round, and then he ran the rest of the fight. That’s not good for boxing.
“I want to face the top dog in any division I campaign in. Despite the doubters, I have overcome similar skepticism in the past, like before my fights against Josh Taylor and Vasiliy Lomachenko.
“Throughout my career, I have always sought to compete against the very best. I am always willing to challenge myself. After this fight, if I can get the other junior welterweight champs to get in the ring with me, my primary goal will be to test and push my limits. I want the triple crown.”
All will become clear in 10 days when Lopez and Claggett step into the ring on a Top Rank event broadcast live on ESPN and Sky Sports.
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