Teofimo Lopez defended his WBO and Ring Journal world junior bantamweight titles with a unanimous resolution victory over Canada’s Steve Claggett in Miami on Saturday evening.
Clagett (38-8-2, 6 KOs), who was coming off a nine-fight profitable streak, pounced on Lopez from the primary bell. The 35-year-old stored Lopez (21-1, 13 KOs) down for many of the combat, the place he landed brief punches round The Takeover’s shoulder protection.
Lopez used his head motion from shut vary to evade many pictures, however was extra comfy on the surface. The 26-year-old moved continuously to determine distance, connecting fast combos round Claggett’s tall guard, together with a flurry that harm him within the eighth.
Claggett was aggressive at each level, however Lopez’s athleticism prevented him from committing a lot offense.
Lopez retained his crown with scores of 120-108, 120-108 and 119-109.
Lopez stated: “I knew precisely what sort of fighter he was. I knew he would come ahead and verify my situation. And that is what we had. We went by means of 12 rounds.
“Will needs to be stronger than talent. And that is what we confirmed. Once I was drained, I do know he was much more drained as a result of I labored actually laborious for it. We knew we needed to break him down. Physique pictures have been painful him.
“I am very grateful. He is a tricky fighter. I do not suppose anybody ought to underestimate him. I knew that going into it.”
Ramirez hits Benitez
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Robisi Ramirez surprised Brandon Benitez with an uppercut within the seventh spherical of their featherweight combat
Former WBO featherweight champion Robisi Ramirez (14-2, 9 KOs) stopped Mexico’s Brandon Leon Benitez (21-3, 9 KOs) within the seventh spherical of the evening’s co-main occasion.
Ramirez set the tempo early on, touchdown Benitez laborious within the second and third rounds. Benitez tried to work from the within, however Ramirez constantly created house for combos both by pushing him away or utilizing his toes.
Within the seventh spherical, the two-time Olympic gold medalist started to maneuver much more, touchdown gentle pictures on Benitez. He then landed a devastating left uppercut that Benitez could not get well from, forcing the referee to finish the combat at 2:46.
Ramirez stated: “It is no secret that Ismael Salas is without doubt one of the greatest strategists on the earth. And so the plan was to steadily put on him down. Then, after the final spherical, he tells me to not search for laborious pictures, however to maneuver round a bit and return to my very own [amateur] roots. Here is what I did. I tapped, tapped, and located a shot.
“It is not the primary time I’ve hit like that. It is good to get a shot like that as a result of it reveals that we have been working laborious in camp.
“I need to get my title again. I desire a rematch in opposition to Rafael Espinoza. If it is not him, I can combat any of the opposite champions.”
Ali Walsh avenges loss to Akala
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Regardless of dislocating his shoulder in battle; Niko Ali Walsh was capable of maintain on for a win over Sona Akala of their middleweight rematch
Middleweight prospect Nick Ali Walsh (11-1, 5 KOs) received a rematch in opposition to Sona Akale (9-2, 4 KOs), avenging his solely skilled loss with a six-round unanimous resolution.
The grandson of “The Biggest” floored Okale with a left hook within the third spherical, however Okale fought again within the fifth spherical with a flurry of punches that harm him. Ali Walsh then suffered a dislocated left shoulder within the sixth spherical, however related with an aggressive Akala within the closing seconds with a proper hand to finish the combat.
Ali Walsh received 58-55, 57-56, 57-56.
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