UK Boxing
The heat continues: Miami fight night featuring Teofimo Lopez-Steve Claggett WBO junior welterweight world title fight June 29 at the James L. Knight Center LIVE on ESPN
Published
8 months agoon
By
J. HumzaThe Takeover returns to its South Florida roots.
Teofimo Lopez will defend his Ring Magazine WBO junior welterweight world titles against Canadian challenger Steve Claggett on Saturday, June 29 at the James L. Knight Center in Downtown Miami, Florida.
In a 10-round featherweight fight, Cuban former WBO world champion Robeisy Ramirez will face Mexican Brandon Leon Benitez.
In the televised six-round opening bout, middleweight Nico Ali Walsh seeks revenge for his only loss in a rematch against Sona Akale.
Teofimo-Claggett, Ramirez-Benitez and Ali Walsh-Akale II 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.
Tickets promoted by Top Rank in cooperation with Eye of The Tiger will go on sale on Wednesday, May 22 at 2:00 PM ET on Ticketmaster.com.
“Teofimo Lopez is one of the most electrifying fighters in the sport and I know he is motivated to put on a show against a very tough challenger in Steve Claggett,” said top president Bob Arum. “Robeisy Ramirez wants to become a two-time world champion, and the road back begins in his adopted hometown. Nico Ali Walsh has been asking for an Akala rematch since the judges decided their first fight, and now he has a chance for revenge.”
Lopez (20-1, 13 KO), a two-weight lineal champion who grew up in South Florida, won the IBF lightweight world title with a second-round knockout of Richard Commey in December 2019. The following year, triumphant pound-for-pound king Vasily Lomachenko would win the WBA, WBO and WBC Franchise titles. He lost the belts in a shocking situation to George Kambosos Jr. in November 2021. The 26-year-old made his junior welterweight debut in August 2022, registering a seventh-round TKO against Pedro Campa before earning a points verdict over Spanish southerner Sandor. Martin in December. In June 2023, Lopez painted a boxing masterpiece when he upset former undisputed champion Josh Taylor to capture the WBO and Ring Magazine titles. He defended his crown by unanimous decision over former amateur rival Jamaine Ortiz in February.
Lopez said: “I have always wanted to fight in South Florida, where I grew up and developed as a fighter. I never thought it would happen, but now, on June 29, I get the chance to do it not only as a world champion, but as a lineal world champion in my division. This has been one of my goals since I became a professional, and I am motivated to showcase my talent there in front of my Honduran fans and the entire Latin community. It’s like a Rocky Balboa story for Steve Claggett. I can’t wait to see what style I see. There were no other fighters who were interested in fighting me and I felt like he would give not only me but also the fans a great fight to watch.”
Claggett (38-7-2, 26 KO), from Calgary, Canada, is a 15-year veteran who has not lost a fight since 2021. The 34-year-old achieved a 4-0 result in 2023 after two knockouts. In March, he defeated Rafael Guzman Lugo in seven fights and won the vacant NABF junior welterweight belt. He defended it via third-round TKO against former world champion Alberto Machado in June, followed by decision victories over Carlos Sanchez in September and Miguel Madueño in November. He started 2024 in January by sending out Marcos Gonzalez Barrera in two.
Claggett said: “I have worked all my life for this opportunity and I intend to make the most of it. I am more motivated than ever before and ready to give my all. “
You may like
UK Boxing
Anthony Taylor collapsed minutes after Darren Till KO and viewers were left terrified
Published
7 hours agoon
January 19, 2025There were disturbing scenes during the last Misfits Boxing gala in Manchester on Saturday evening when Anthony Taylor collapsed after being stopped by fellow MMA fighter Darren Till.
The American took up the fight shortly after Tommy Fury withdrew, but he was no match for Till, who dominated from the very beginning.
In his first boxing fight, the Liverpudlian looked outstanding from the bell, displaying impressive hand speed and having no trouble countering Taylor’s aggressive approach.
Threatening to KO from the start, Till secured a stoppage in the sixth round.
But what happened next shocked those who watched the event. Taylor, who entered the fight with a 7-4 boxing record, broke down in post-fight interviews. He was later taken away from the Co-Op Arena in a wheelchair.
Many assumed that Taylor was then taken to the hospital for tests. However, according to Ariel Helwani, after being given oxygen and found to be stable, he was allowed to return to his accommodation.
Misfits co-founder Mams Taylor later confirmed that Taylor had regained consciousness. He also said Taylor did not need a hospital visit because he was “conscious and well” when he entered the locker room.
He later posted a video on social media in which he spoke clearly and promised to bounce back from the shocking defeat. “It’s OK, I took the L (loss) like a motherfucker,” he said.
“I’ll be back. I’m fine. Thank you all for your love and support, thank you to everyone who makes fun of me too. I don’t give a damn. I deserve it. But at the end of the day, I’ll fucking come back.”
“Pretty Boy,” who has a professional MMA record of 7-5 but has not fought since August 2019, also took aim at Fury. WX wrote, “Now we know why Tommy Fury backed out,” along with two laughing emojis.
The Misfits Boxing 20 main event was only organized after the Manchester fighter withdrew. The younger brother of former heavyweight champion Tyson stated that he was not content with Till’s claim that he would resort to “MMA tactics” if he lost the fight.
Do later denied that he wasn’t stern when giving the warning, saying it was simply a marketing tactic. It wasn’t until December 29 that it was confirmed that Taylor had stepped in as a replacement.
UK Boxing
Darren Till’s Mystery Woman Tattoo Explained in Response to Paige VanZant’s Claims
Published
19 hours agoon
January 18, 2025Former UFC welterweight title challenger Darren Till covered up a tattoo of a girl, sparking debate among fight fans.
The Liverpudlian is set to make his Misfits Boxing debut tonight against Anthony Taylor, almost two years after his departure from the UFC. Till left the MMA promotion to explore other opportunities. He was scheduled to make his professional boxing debut against former Mexican WBC middleweight boxing champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr last July, but the fight was ultimately canceled.
Instead, he faced Palestinian mixed martial arts champion Mohammad Mutie in an exhibition boxing match at Social Knockout 3 in Dubai the same month. Despite a blow to the back of Muti’s head, Till was declared the winner by technical knockout in the second round.
He is currently expected to move to Manchester but faces a tough opponent in Taylor, who has extensive experience in the Misfits world. Fans noticed that Till covered up a tattoo of his girlfriend’s face with a gorilla. He previously stated that he got the tattoo so that the woman, the mother of his two children, would always be close to him, even during fights.
Many fans wrongly believed that Till’s tattoo resembled former UFC star Paige VanZant, but the Liverpool MMA fighter rejected such suggestions. “That’s my girl,” Till explained about the ink. “It was a surprise for her on her birthday. I thought, ‘Yes, I’ll do something different. I’ll put a tattoo on her face.”
The topic of tattoos continued, but Till insisted: “It’s not Paige VanZant, I don’t even know who she is. As I said about my girlfriend, she is second to none. So every time I fight, she fights too. And she gets beat up by me, so if she pisses me off, I just go to the gym and let some guys beat me up.”
The combat sports world has also been abuzz with news of Till’s potential fight with Tommy Fury, which has now fallen apart. Fury explained his decision to withdraw in a statement on social media: “I can’t believe I’m writing this but now I’m not fighting Darren Till on January 18. For one straightforward reason: Darren has repeatedly stated that he does not want to follow the rules of professional boxing and that if he loses a fight, he will resort to kicks and other stupid MMA tactics.”
Fury continued to explain, emphasizing his dedication to boxing and lamenting the wasted preparation. “I’m a professional boxer, I’ve been out of the ring for over a year and I wanted it to be a great boxing match for the fans. I wasted weeks in training camps. We are working demanding to find a fresh opponent and I promise that I will find a better opponent and a better fight for you. Good news just around the corner.”
UK Boxing
The former Chelsea footballer joined the KSI boxing fight amid a major career change
Published
23 hours agoon
January 18, 2025Former Chelsea footballer Wayne Bridge is reportedly set for a surprise career change after being lined up as KSI’s next boxing opponent.
The former Chelsea and Manchester City star won the Premier League playing under Jose Mourinho in 2004-05 and added the FA Cup and EFL Cup in 2006-07.
In 2009, he moved to Manchester City, where he spent three years before spending time on loan at West Ham, Brighton and Sunderland.
The former England international retired from football in 2014 after leaving Reading. However, he has remained in the spotlight because he is married to singer Frankie Bridge (née Sandford), former lead singer of girl band The Saturdays.
Now he is ready for an unexpected career change from football to boxing after being selected as one of KSI’s potential opponents.
According to Daily mailBridge is “one of the names mentioned” to fight the famed YouTuber and social media personality, with the fight scheduled for March 29.
KSI – whose real name is Olajide Olayinka Williams Olatunji and also goes by the nickname “JJ” – got into boxing alongside fellow YouTubers Logan and Jake Paul.
The London-born star is a household name in the celebrity world, having released her own rap album and enjoying success in various ventures, including The Sidemen and launching a drink called PRIME.
The 31-year-old recently expressed his desire to fight former UFC champion Conor McGregor in an exhibition fight. However, it looks like he will face a completely different opponent in Brydra.
Bridge, now 44, was plagued by injuries later in his career but is now said to be in “top form”. He has also entered the ring once, so he is no stranger to fighting with ropes.
Seven years ago, he faced Spencer Matthews, who previously appeared on the reality show Made in Chelsea, in a charity fight for Sport Relief and emerged victorious.
In the meantime, KSI fought Logan Paul twice and his record in six fights in the ring is 4-2.
His only defeat was against Tommy Fury in September 2023, when Fury, the younger brother of former heavyweight champion Tyson, won the fight by majority vote.
He has previously touched on the topic of fighting bridge when the topic was broached by another former footballer, Peter Crouch, on his podcast in October 2023.
He said, “You know, if you ever need someone to step in, I know someone who trains all the time. So if you need someone last minute, Wayne Bridge.”
KSI replied, “If he really cares about it, it would definitely be great to have him on Misfits.”
Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol 2 • FULL PRESS CONFERENCE • London | DAZN Boxing
Robert Smith Reacts To Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn Announcement
Anthony Taylor collapsed minutes after Darren Till KO and viewers were left terrified
Trending
-
MMA8 months ago
Max Holloway is on a mission at UFC 212
-
MMA8 months ago
Cris Cyborg ready to add a UFC title to her collection
-
Interviews3 months ago
Carl Froch predicts that Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol
-
MMA8 months ago
The Irish showed up in droves at the Mayweather-McGregor weigh-in
-
Interviews3 months ago
Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol
-
Boxing6 months ago
Lucas Bahdi ready to test his skills against Ashton Sylve
-
Interviews8 months ago
I fell in love with boxing again
-
Opinions & Features3 months ago
Dmitry Bivol: The story so far