Boxing
The genius of Teofimo Lopez Jr. is constantly looking for up-to-date challenges
Published
5 months agoon
By
J. HumzaMIAMI, Fla. — They seem to always want more because they feel more is expected. That’s probably why Teofimo Lopez Jr. is one of the best fighters in the world, and why he and his father, Teofimo Lopez Sr., The Ring magazine and 2020 BWAA Trainer of the Year, push so demanding to break up-to-date ground.
Team Lopez’s up-to-date limit is to beat someone they should easily beat – Canadian challenger Steve Claggett (38-7-2, 26 knockouts) on Saturday night at the James L. Knight Center in Miami, Florida.
López Jr. (20-1, 13 KO) will defend his WBO and Ring Magazine junior welterweight titles for the second time after winning the WBO and Ring Magazine titles in a dominant victory over previously undefeated Josh Taylor in June 2023.
The main event will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 10:00 PM ET/7:00 PM PT. Sky Sports will broadcast the event in the UK and Ireland.
Team Lopez’s goal is to put on a show.
“I remember waking up my son 10 minutes before the WBO deadline, after he said he was going to retire after the Taylor fight,” said Teofimo Sr. “My son was seriously thinking about retiring. The WBO was going to vacate the title, and Devin Haney was going to take the vacant title and fight Arnold Barboza Jr. My son said he had no intention of giving the title to Haney and continuing to pass things on to him.
“Teo called the WBO and told them he had no intention of retiring. That’s where it ended, but it was close. We wanted to fight Devin Haney and that’s why he wanted to fight Regis Prograis. Nobody expected us to beat Josh Taylor. When we did this, we saw what happened. Boxing is trying to get rid of my son.
It doesn’t look like that will happen.
Earlier this year, Lopez Jr. he defeated Jamaine Ortiz by unanimous decision, but Ortiz ran all night long.
Lopez’s team has been open about the respect they have for Claggett, firstly for taking the fight, and secondly, for his attacking style. Ortiz was uncharacteristically cautious, fearing Lopez’s power. Claggett, 35, is on a three-fight win streak and nine straight wins. In January, he defeated Marcos Gonzalez via kayo in the second round.
He is a volume creator. In his last four fights, Claggett has landed an average of 102.7 punches per round, while Lopez Jr. But Claggett has never faced someone like the 26-year-old Lopez.
“If you don’t have the strength to keep this guy away, Claggett will be hanging on your face all night long,” Lopez Sr. said. “We respect him. He will come to fight, not run away like Ortiz. He hasn’t lost a fight since 2021. Guys like Claggett are risky. My son will have to box him demanding to beat him.
– And he will.
Teofimo Jr. he hopes to get the best version of Claggett. The goal of the 140-pound world champion is to fight two more fights in 2024. He wants to be more energetic and wants to have another fight in September and maybe another fight in November or December.
The consensus is that Lopez Jr. he will beat Claggett, but as a professional fighter he can’t have that attitude.
“I have to remember that everyone wants what I have, and I have the most prestigious belt in boxing, The Ring belt,” Lopez Jr. said. “This guy has solid experience. His defeats came by decision. What I struggle with the most internally, even though it’s demanding to get to the top, is to remember that every time I step into the ring, it means more.
“There are many people who inspire me. By winning, I gain more fans and more respect. Boxing is bigger than me and I know it. You feel the pressure and you know what they say: pressure makes diamonds. I love the position I’m in, I know no one can do what I do.
“I know that many players don’t respect this sport as much as I do. This worries me. I put a lot less pressure on myself. I learned to deal with pressure. I have a lot more fun and it makes me a better fighter.”
This was most evident after Lopez Jr.’s victory over Taylor. Many wrongly suggested he would have a mental breakdown and be chewed out. Those close to him knew otherwise.
López Jr. he’s actually a genius. He loves it when boxing pundits doubt him, as they did before the fight with Vasily Lomachenko.
After losing to George Kambosos, Lopez Sr. found tape of his son’s antique fights. He changed the way he trained his son, and what they rediscovered was “The Takeover’s” alter ego, “the skillful boxer Gordo.” He came back against Taylor. Teo Jr. he was relaxed. Confident. Specified. This resulted in his uncomplicated defeat to Taylor.
“I’m in a good place, my father and my family are in a good place, I reward myself with demanding work and ethics, and I had to lose to win” – Lopez Jr. “That defeat against Kambosos brought out the best version of me. I want to show these little kids this frosty gadget. I also have more control over myself.
“I deal with things in a more controlled way. My concentration is greater, my self-control is much, much better. This comes from knowing yourself better. I never should have fought Kambosos that night. I risked my life that night. I lost my underdog mentality after beating Lomachenko.
“Now I have it back.”
I don’t want to hand-pick anyone in the future. He wants to focus solely on Claggett.
“I still have a lot to learn,” he said. “I’m at the top of the 140-pound weight class. After this I want two more fights. Top Rank wants to give me another one and it’s in my contract. I want to fight for fourth place. We’ll see what I’m allowed to do.
– I also have to raise this issue about my father. I love him. I need my flowers, knowing what he did for me and in this sport. He was Coach of the Year and I don’t think he deserves the recognition he deserves. My father is a great coach. He won the Eddie Futch Award. He hasn’t had a drink in over 50 days and you can print it out. He changes his ways and we are talking about someone who has been drinking since he was 12 years antique.
“He saw where I was going and changed it. How many coaches would do the same? Not many. My father did it. You have to be a man to admit a mistake. He saw something and fixed it. We are a team. Boxing made us evolve as people in and out of the ring. He is the reason I am on top. We are a successful father-son duo.”
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Boxing
The fight between Alexis Rocha and Raul Curiel will take place on December 14 at the Toyota Arena
Published
20 hours agoon
November 23, 2024In a clash of forces between two world title contenders, NABO welterweight titleholder Alexis “Lex” Rocha (25-2-0, 16 KO) will put his skills to the test against undefeated knockout and NABF welterweight titleholder Raul “El Cugar “. Curiel (15-0, 13 KO).
The 10-round main event will take place on Saturday, December 14, live from the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California, and will be broadcast worldwide on DAZN.
“‘The best versus the best’ is Golden Boy’s mantra and that’s what fans will see as Rocha and Curiel take on everything that’s on the table,” said President and CEO Oscar De La Hoya. “Rocha is a veteran whose goal is to win the world title, Curiel is an undefeated blue-chip prospect with huge potential. It’s really a 50/50 fight and I’m looking forward to it.”
Tickets for the Rocha vs. match Curiel will go on sale on Friday, October 11 at 10 a.m. PT and will be priced at $100, $75, $50 and $25, excluding applicable service fees. A confined number of Golden Boy VIP Experience tickets will also be available, including exclusive merchandise and fight night upgrades. Standard and VIP tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com, Toyota-arena.com, Goldenboy.com or at the Toyota Arena box office from Monday to Friday from 12:00 to 16:00
“I’ve seen Raul Curiel all these years and he never once mentioned my name,” Alexis Rocha said. “After my last defeat, he suddenly became interested in fighting me. If he thinks I’ve lost a step or somehow had an simple fight, he’s in for a rude awakening. I can’t wait to make a statement and show the world what I’m capable of.”
Santa Ana, California Rep. Alexis “Lex” Rocha comes from a struggling family. The younger brother of Ronny Rios, he was the youngest fighter to win a gold medal at the Junior Olympics at the age of 14 in 2012 and caught the attention of the boxing world by becoming a six-time national champion during his amateur career. Rocha signed with Golden Boy in January 2016 and made his professional debut in March 2016, defeating Jordan Rosario at the Belasco Theater in Los Angeles. Since then, he has amassed an enviable record of powerful knockouts over top contenders and plans to return to world title contention, with his last fight being a victory over undefeated Santiago Dominguez on July 19 last year.
“The fans can expect a war,” said Raul Curiel. “I’m going to prepare well to put on a great show. This will be the most essential fight of my career so far. I know Alexis is a great fighter, a good opponent and will also show up prepared. My focus is on Alexis and if I can beat him, I know it will give me a chance to fight for the world championship.
Boxing
George Kambosos moves up to 140, adds Eddie Hearn to team
Published
2 days agoon
November 23, 2024Former unified lightweight champion George Kambosos approached promoter Eddie Hearn asking for more massive fights.
Kambosos has signed a co-promotional deal with Eddie Hearn, under which the Greek-Australian slugger will continue his association with DiBella Entertainment Inc. and his own company, Ferocious Promotions.
The 21-3 star will move up to the super lightweight division of Matchroom Boxing’s lively division. He aims to become a two-weight world champion in early 2025, and as part of the deal, a title fight is promised as long as he continues to win.
Since his stunning victory over Teofimo Lopez, Kambosos has never shied away from competing against the best. Those three losses on his resume came to Devin Haney [twice] and Vasily Lomachenko, all at home and all for world titles.
The 31-year-old is now set to face compatriot Liam Paro after defending his IBF title against Richardson Hitchins in December in Puerto Rico.
“I am thrilled to be working with Matchroom Boxing. I am excited to have signed a three-way promotional cooperation agreement with my long-time promoter DiBella Entertainment Inc. and Ferocious Promotions,” Kambosos said.
“I made great success and history when I moved up the Matchroom shows by winning my UK elimination fight against Lee Selby. The most noteworthy and unforgettable is my victory against Teofimo at Madison Square Garden in Up-to-date York to become the 135-pound world champion.
“I am officially announcing that I will be moving up to 140 pounds and signing with Matchroom will ensure my continued success and the legacy I want to leave in the sport of boxing.”
Hearn, who adds an experienced campaigner to his stable, added: “I am delighted to welcome George to the team. George’s victory over Teofimo tore up the script and showed that George was the man for the massive time. He has proven to be a huge attraction in Australia and one of the real driving forces behind the rapid growth of boxing Down Under.
“The 140-pound division is full of massive names and massive potential fights. Adding George to the mix only elevates the level, and a possible fight with Liam Paro is a truly appetizing prospect. If Liam manages to win in a great fight against Richardson on December 7th [the fight could be on].
Lou DiBella, who has worked with Kambosos for years, said: “I’m glad I was able to make a deal with my antique buddy Eddie to work with George Kambosos Jr. and Ferocious Promotions.
“Throughout his career, George has been a fighter who has never shied away from a challenge, and now he wants to test himself against top junior welterweights.
Matchroom works with top 140-pounders, including George’s compatriot Liam Paro, and, like DiBella Entertainment, is heavily invested in Australia.
“It’s a natural partnership,” added the Up-to-date Yorker.
Boxing
Mike Tyson had absolutely no chance of knocking out Jake Paul
Published
3 days agoon
November 21, 2024One of the hottest topics surrounding Mike Tyson’s return at the age of 58 was the possibility of the boxing legend scoring a knockout of Jake Paul.
WBN has weighed in on this topic several times, questioning the validity of five-second training clips that revealed nothing about Tyson’s abilities at this overdue age. One of the most intriguing observations during the preparations was the opinion of UFC commentator Daniel Cormier.
Speaking on his show “Funky and the Champ,” Cormier reflected on Tyson’s social media videos and offered an informed opinion on the meaning of the clips.
“I understand that [he is in amazing shape at 58]and I understand what he is saying [he feels as though he can compete]– Cormier said. “And I agree that when he hits the pads with Rafael Cordeiro, it looks like there’s still something left in him.
“But then I watch Jake Paul fight Mike Perry. I saw Jake Paul get overwhelmed to the point where he started to feel uncomfortable. It looked like Mike Perry had a chance. But Jake has a reserve tank he can go to and benefit from because he’s 28 years ancient. Then he comes back and finally finishes Mike Perry.
“At the beginning of the fight, Mike Perry gets beaten up and dropped. He looks trained and unmatched. This worries me because what if it looks like a 58-year-old man fighting a 28-year-old man while Mike can’t employ the backup tank to stay and compete with this newborn kid? I think it’s a failure for Jake Paul because if you beat Mike Tyson, everyone will love him.
He added: “What if Mike knocks him out? It’s over. Everything is ready. This would be the backfire of all time. If he gets knocked out, nothing like that has ever happened in the history of the sport.”
Unfortunately for Tyson, this revenge backfired spectacularly, as the former heavyweight champion’s return was the only event that bombed. Tyson had nothing left twenty years after he had nothing left in his tank and no desire to box in his mind.
Paul parlayed this into a money-making scheme that would forever be a success for him and his company, but would be poorly received by the die-hard boxing fraternity.
Cormier’s words resonate, especially after what happened in the ring when Mike Tyson struggled to shift into first gear, warning former fighters thinking about returning after 50.
‘MIKE TYSON WON’T FIGHT EVER AGAIN!’ – Gareth A Davies
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