In a commanding performance tonight in Miami, Teofimo Lopez retained his WBO super lightweight title with a near-shutout decision over Steve Claggett. Lopez (21-1, 13 KO) won with scores of 119-109, 120-108, and 120-108.
Claggett (38-8-2, 26 KO) brought his trademark pressure and effort, but struggled to gain control of the fight. Lopez consistently landed sharper, cleaner shots throughout the evening.
While not his most impressive showing, there was no disputing Lopez's victory. "I knew exactly what kind of fighter he was. He was going to come forward and test my conditioning," Lopez said. "He's a tough fighter, and no one should overlook him."
When asked about his future plans, Lopez mentioned the possibility of moving up in weight. "My body’s growing, and although it doesn’t look like I can handle my own at 147, I believe I can," he said. "I want to fight the best champions. We don’t dodge anyone."
Robeisy Ramirez Shines with Knockout Victory Over Brandon Benitez
Former featherweight titleholder Robeisy Ramirez made a strong return to the ring, knocking out Brandon Benitez in the seventh round with a spectacular uppercut. Ramirez (14-2, 9 KO) dominated the fight, as expected, against Benitez (21-3, 9 KO), who was outclassed by the superior fighter.
Ramirez’s manager indicated they are hoping for a rematch with Rafael Espinoza for the WBO featherweight title later this year. Ramirez expressed his desire to become a unified champion at 126.
Nico Ali Walsh Avenges Loss with Win Over Sona Akale
In the main card opener, Nico Ali Walsh secured a hard-fought victory over Sona Akale in their rematch from last August. Walsh (10-1, 5 KO) won with scores of 57-56, 57-56, and 58-55, with a third-round knockdown proving decisive. Despite suffering a separated shoulder in the sixth round, Walsh persevered to finish the fight. Akale’s record now stands at 9-2 (4 KO).