WBO super-lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez has been associated with an unexpected bout recently, marking what would be his second title defense since moving up and defeating the division’s poster boy, Josh Taylor, last June.
Dubbed ‘The Takeover,’ Lopez returned to the ring in February, securing a controversial unanimous-decision victory over Jamaine Ortiz, despite many observers feeling that Ortiz had done enough to pull off a shocking upset.
Following this, Lopez has been linked to unification fights against fellow champions Devin Haney and Subriel Matias, but both are currently committed to their own matches.
Instead, reports surfaced suggesting Lopez would face Canada’s Steve Claggett (38-7-2), ranked 13th by the WBO, who has compiled nine consecutive victories since 2021, with five of those wins coming within the last 13 months.
The response to this news was lackluster, with fans hoping that a fighter often considered a top-ten pound-for-pounder would square off against a more prominent name in one of boxing’s hottest divisions. Notably, Arnold Barboza Jr. (29-0), Jose Ramirez (28-1), and Richardson Hitchins hold the top three rankings with the WBO, respectively.
On social media, Teofimo Lopez hinted that either the initial reports of the Claggett fight were inaccurate or that he had canceled the proposed bout due to insufficient interest.
The primary contenders to face Lopez next will share the same card next Saturday as perceived division leader and WBC champion Devin Haney battles Ryan Garcia.
Meanwhile, Lopez’s WBO mandatory challenger, Barboza Jr., will face Sean McComb in the highlight fight of the Devin Haney vs. Ryan Garcia undercard.
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