No disrespect to Steve Claggett, but it’s not a matter of if the Canadian boxer is going to lose Saturday night to Teofimo Lopez. It’s about whether he’s going to be on the canvas or on his feet after the 140-pound bout with Lopez’s WBO junior welterweight title on the line.
Lopez (20-1 with 13 KOs) owes the boxing world a dazzling performance. Last time out, he looked so lackluster in a victory by unanimous decision over Jamaine Ortiz that the crowd booed.
Claggett (38-7-2 with 26 KOs) looks well suited for Lopez’s bounce-back fight.
For starters, Claggett is 35 and Lopez is 26. He’s never fought in a 12-round championship bout. And did we mention he’s 38-7-2? Most importantly, he’s a pressure boxer who sets up nicely for Lopez’s counterpunching.
“Doesn’t matter who they put in front of me, we’re always going to get the job done,” Lopez told reporters. “However, we need good dance partners and Saturday night we’re actually going to have a tough, rugged fighter of Steve Claggett.”
Follow along for live updates:
Teofimo Lopez vs. Steve Claggett fight time
The main card starts at 10 p.m. ET on Saturday night.
How to watch the Teofimo Lopez fight
The fight can be watched on ESPN and streamed via ESPN+.
Teofimo Lopez fight odds
FanDuel: Lopez -1200 favorite, Claggett +710 underdog
DraftKings: Lopez -1150, Claggett +650
BetMGM: Lopez -900, Claggett +600
Caesars: Lopez -1400, Claggett +750
Teofimo Lopez fight prediction
Harrison Campbell, The Tennessean: Claggett’s only ever been knocked out once, but he’s also never faced a fighter like Lopez. Prediction: Lopez by KO, 10th round.
Abraham Gonzalez, Fights Around the World: Teofimo Lopez is too smart and athletic of a fighter to succumb to Steve Claggett’s pressure. Prediction: Lopez by TKO, seventh round or later.
Teofimo Lopez vs. Steve Claggett full card
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Nico Ali Walsh vs. Sona Akale 2, middleweight
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Yan Santana vs Brandon Valdes, featherweight
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Elvis Rodriguez vs. Jino Rodrigo, super lightweight
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Rohan Polanco vs. Luis Hernandez Ramos, welterweight
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Euri Cedeno vs. Dormedes Potes, middleweight
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Emiliano Vargas vs. Jose Zaragoza, super lightweight
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Lorenzo Medina vs. Detrailous Webster, heavyweight
Where is the Teofimo Lopez fight?
Saturday’s Teofimo Lopez-Steve Claggett fight is being held at the James L. Knight Center in Miami Beach, Florida.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Teofimo Lopez vs Steve Claggett fight live updates: Round-by-round
