Teofimo Lopez to Bring Heat to Miami June 29th!

Teofimo Lopez will be returning to his Floridian roots when he takes on Canadian contender Steve Claggett on Saturday June 29th at the James L. Knight Center in Downtown Miami, Florida. Teo will be putting his WBO and Ring Magazine junior welterweight titles on the line. The fight will be presented live by Top Rank on ESPN/ESPN+ starting at 10PM/ ET.

In the 10-round co-feature we will see former WBO champion Robiesy Ramirez square off with Brandon Leon Benitez in a featherweight contest. The opening fight for the televised card will put middleweight prospect Nico Ali Walsh, the grandson of all time great and legend Muhammad Ali. Walsh looks to avenge his only loss in a rematch against Sona Akale.

“Teofimo Lopez is among the most electrifying fighters in the sport, and I know he’s motivated to put on a show against a very tough challenger in Steve Claggett,” said Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum. “Robeisy Ramirez wants to become a two-time world champion, and the road back starts in his adopted hometown. Nico Ali Walsh has been asking for the Akale rematch from the moment the judges’ decision came back after their first fight, and he now has a chance for revenge.” This card will be an exciting tripleheader.

Teofimo Lopez (20-1, 13KOs) is a two-weight lineal champion and although currently is from Brooklyn, Teo grew up in South Florida. Teo snatched the IBF lightweight title in emphatic fashion when he knocked out Richard Commey in December of 2019. The next year he snatched the WBA, WBO, and WBC belts from the then pound for pound king Vasiliy Lomachenko. Teo went on to lose the belts in a controversial upset against George Kambosas Jr in Novemeber of 2021. Since then Teo has been on the come up again, moving up to junior welterweight, stopping Pedro Campa, then beating Spanish southpaw Sandor Martin on points. Coming in has the underdog, Teo pulled the upset when he beat former undisputed champion Josh Taylor to grab the WBO and Ring Magazine titles. Teo then defended his crown via unanimous decision over Jamaine Ortiz in February.

Lopez said, “I have always wanted to fight in South Florida, where I grew up and developed as a fighter. I never thought it would happen, but now, on June 29, I get the opportunity to do so not just as a world champion but as the lineal world champion of my division. This has been one of my goals since turning pro, and I’m motivated to showcase my talent there in front of my Honduran fans and the entire Latino community. This is like a Rocky Balboa story for Steve Claggett. I’m very much looking forward to what kind of style I’m going to see. There were no other fighters who were interested in fighting me, and I felt like he would give not just me, but the fans as well, a great fight to watch.”

Claggett (38-7-2, 26 KOs), of Calgary, Canada, is a veteran with 15 years of experience who hasn’t lost a fight since 2021. The 34-year-old went 4-0 with two knockouts in 2023. In March, he stopped Rafael Guzman Lugo in the seventh round to claim the vacant NABF junior welterweight strap. He defended it with a third-round TKO against former world champion Alberto Machado in June. Claggett then went on to gain decision victories over Carlos Sanchez in September and Miguel Madueño in November. Claggett started 2024 with a bang by stopping Marcos Gonzalez Barrera in two rounds in in January.

Claggett said, “I have worked my entire life for this opportunity, and I intend to make the most of it. I am more motivated than ever before, and I’m ready to give it everything I’ve got.”

This is one tripleheader you do not want to miss out so head down to the James L. Knight Center in Downtown Miami, Florida or tune in to ESPN come fight night!