Boxing
Steve Claggett Will ‘Bring Hell’ to Teofimo Lopez Jr.
Published
7 months agoon
By
J. HumzaSteve Claggett’s promoter Camille Estephan is in Miami to prepare his fighter for one of the most crucial points in 2024 as Claggett challenges Teofimo Lopez Jr.
Canadian Claggett (35) is an underdog heading into Saturday’s chance to win the WBO junior welterweight title, but the contender is also in form and has won his last nine fights. His lopsided record of 38-7-2 (26 KOs) isn’t necessarily impressive, but it shows a history of hardships and lessons learned throughout his nearly 16-year career, which is why Estephan has confidence in him.
“Steve Claggett has excelled since signing with us and receiving the real aid that professionals need,” said Eye of the Tiger figurehead Estephan. “He did everything we asked him to do. He fought Miguel Madueno, who no one wanted to fight; he was avoided; he beat him pristine; Madueno struggled with a different perspective [Justin Pauldo] right after and won. He deserved his shot. He is here. He did everything he had to do to get the best out of Steve Claggett on Saturday night.”
Lopez is 20-1 and was the top fighter at 135 and 140 pounds. He’s going to move up and wants to fight Terence Crawford. But Claggett isn’t just a supporting character, Estephan said.
“People don’t notice him,” the promoter added. “People look at his record, they see he’s got seven losses and a couple of draws, but that was another time. That was another day when Steve wasn’t where he is now. At times he didn’t even have a trainer. He took some fights in the wrong weight class, he took fights at the last minute, and some of the fights that ended in losses were very controversial losses.”
Ultimately, Claggett got the call because he is thrilling and comes to fight. After Lopez fought Jamain Ortiz in February, the idea is for him to look spectacular at the James L. Knight Center in Miami Beach.
“We’re excited to go to war — it’s going to be a war,” Estephan insisted.
“I think it’s the last one [Lopez] the fight wasn’t one that people appreciated. It requires action for entertainment purposes, but Steve has a very entertaining style and people love watching him fight. But he’s here to win the fight, and that makes it more compelling and more intriguing. The reason I signed him is because this guy has the heart of a dragon and he will bring hell in the ring to anyone who fights him.”
Regardless, Claggett is expected to take the fight. He is not expected to win. Lopez has been warm and frigid at times, but Estephan only wants the best version of the WBO junior welterweight titleholder, so his fighter gets full credit for the win and no excuses for the loss.
“Teofimo Lopez is an incredible champion; very talented; we have complete respect for who he is,” Estephan said. “But there will be no respect in the ring. Steve will bring anger and fire to this ring. We hope that [Lopez is] “He’ll be in top shape to put up a great fight, and we want Steve – if we win the fight – to feel like we deserved it because of our preparation, determination and talent.”
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Boxing
Floyd Mayweather’s record is not normal, it can’t happen in 70 years
Published
12 hours agoon
January 12, 2025Floyd Mayweather’s incredible 50-0 record is not normal and cannot be repeated in sports for another seventy years.
This is the view of Saudi Arabian president Turki Alalshikh, who wants to adopt the UFC model in which fighters lose many fights during their career.
In a speech as he hosted the Ring Magazine Awards after acquiring the long-running boxing publication from Oscar De La Hoya, Alalshikh was unequivocal in his opinion.
“Now losing some fights in boxing must be normal,” he explained. “All fighters want a career similar to Floyd Mayweather – no losses. This may happen once every 50, 60 or 70 years.
“We need it [to be] like currently in the UFC model, where champions lose and win,” added the matchmaker during the Riyad season.
Mayweather rose through the sport in the tardy 1990s to become one of its youngest superstars. Mayweather’s professional success came after winning a bronze medal at the Olympics after losing to Serafim Todorov.
Winning world titles in five weight classes, Mayweather was untouchable. The Grand Rapids native only came close to defeat a few times. He dominated Manny Pacquiao and overtook Canelo Alvarez and Oscar De La Hoya after heated debates, with decisions that should have been made unanimously.
Towards the end of his career, Mayweather chose to face Andre Berto and Conor McGregor, easily winning and ending his boxing career at the age of 50 without ever going out. Calling himself “the greatest of all time,” Mayweather earned first-ballot Hall of Fame honors and is widely considered one of, if not the greatest defensive fighter of all time.
However, Alalshikh says this type of career needs to end so that fans can get the most out of boxing, as is the case with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Boxing needs to become more attractive, and Alalshikh sees the failures of top stars as a way to keep interest at an all-time high.
In this sport, many boxers enjoy undefeated streaks, the most notable of which is Oleksandr Usyk. The Ukrainian Pound for Pound King is 23-0 and has beaten the best he has to offer in his division and cruiserweight classification.
It remains a mystery how Alalshikh plans to make Usyk suffer while he dominates everyone else. By the time his grand plan goes into action, Usyk will be long gone, and Gervonta Davis, Shakur Stevenson and Devin Haney may be more realistic targets.
Boxing
Manny Pacquiao remains the favorite to win the title against Mario Barrios
Published
7 days agoon
January 6, 2025WBN understands that despite alternative options emerging, it is more likely that Manny Pacquiao will face Mario Barrios next.
Bob Santos, coach of WBC welterweight champion Barrios, told World Boxing News that he is currently in contact with Pacquiao’s team. Asked by WBN if he had spoken to Pacquiao or representatives of any other challenger, Santos replied: “Yes, Pacquiao’s promoter, Sean Gibbons.” Pressed on whether Barrios vs Pacquiao might happen next, he added: “It’s challenging to say. We’ll have to see how this plays out.”
WBN contacted Santos after Conor Benn emerged as a potential alternative to Barrios. The British fighter, who recently returned from a suspension following two positive drug tests, is keen to return to competition.
Benn showed favor with the World Boxing Council at the recent WBC Convention, the WBC Evaluation Committee and during an interview with the sanctioning body over the weekend. “The Destroyer” is ranked second in the rankings at 147 pounds, despite less than solid opponents during his time in exile, during which Benn competed twice in the United States while his career in the United Kingdom was in doubt.
As he battled to clear his name and with the British Anti-Doping Authority finding no evidence that Benn had intentionally taken ostarine, the 28-year-old’s career took a pointed nosedive. Despite this, he remains highly rated and at least one step away from fighting for an eliminator or one of the remaining championship titles.
However, Pacquiao remains Barrios’ favorite. Now it’s up to the boxing legend and Hall of Famer who got the first votes to secure his shot. WBN believes a July date – most likely at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas – is the most realistic date for a Nevada swan song.
Pacquiao could extend his record as the oldest welterweight champion by six years if he can secure a huge victory over the 29-year-old world champion. At 46 years antique, such a scenario remains unlikely, but he can never be compared to one of the greatest players of this generation.
Unlike heavier boxers and his training regiment, Pacquiao looks in great shape despite his advanced age. Everything is set for a massive return to the boxing capital of the world, provided Pacquiao and his team can manage his political ambitions, which are expected to run from this month until May. After that time, Pacquiao could find himself in the summer finals and become the all-time champion, regardless of the result.
Barrios is based in the city, where he trained with Santos, and would be the perfect opponent to see out the career of one of the greatest fighters in history.
Boxing
A report about Deontay Wilder retiring at the age of 39 has been confirmed as false
Published
1 week agoon
January 2, 2025Deontay Wilder has not retired from boxing at the age of 39, and the former WBC heavyweight champion has not issued any official statement.
World Boxing News can confirm that reports circulating on social media are false and originated from a imitation account on Up-to-date Year’s Day. As of January 2, 2025, WBN has had no word from Wilder that he plans to hang up his gloves.
As usual, WBN also asked Shelly Finkel for comment. However, Finkel has repeatedly said in the past that Wilder is not retiring. This case seems to be no different.
The last time Wilder spoke publicly was while promoting a mental health app, the Brown Bomber was unveiling plans to return to the sport.
He said: “The push-up protocol has been disabled. Strengthen your body and train your mind; no paid subscription required! It’s not about money. It’s about a mission to strengthen mindsets and improve mental health for all.
To everyone: operate your services and achieve greatness.
“There will be people who tell you, ‘No, you can’t.’ [No] People trying to stop you or putting up stop signs. [No] People who want to bring you down and keep you down. But you can’t give up.
“No matter how many times you fall, no matter how many times you get knocked down, it’s a resilient mind, a confident mind, a powerful mind that gets back up and keeps moving forward to achieve your greatness.
“Apply your service. Achieve your greatness,” he added.
Deontay Wilder could announce his retirement tomorrow if he changed his mind, but at the time of the report, there was no truth to it.
When Zhilei Zhang knocked him out on June 1 in Saudi Arabia, the formidable top-flight contender needed time to assess his situation. WBN understands that Wilder has received offers, including contact from Francis Ngannou, regarding a possible boxing match with the MMA star.
The Wilder vs. Ngannou fight only makes sense for an American his age. Many voluntary positions [of which Wilder is WBC number 13] are occupied by threatening opponents who would start each clash as favorites.
Meanwhile, the Ngannou fight is winnable with less risk and more rewards, meaning Wilder can still earn a significant payday before hanging up his gloves for good.
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