TEOFIMO LOPEZ is resolute in his quest to reignite his passion for boxing rather than focusing on business matters, as evidenced by his upcoming bout against Steve Claggett this Saturday.
Despite being able to create a limited edition collection of Teofimo bobbleheads, priced at $250, the 26-year-old emphasizes that his primary motivation for pursuing the sport was not solely financial gain. His passion for the sport was initially sparked by his quest for glory, making money a secondary consideration.
Lopez, once hailed as a boxing prodigy, dominated the sport in his teenage years, earning numerous accolades. However, his rapid ascent to the pinnacle of success has encountered obstacles, including a surprising loss to George Kambosos Jr in 2021, and several personal challenges outside of the boxing arena.
He has also lifted the lid on financial turmoil despite a number of money spinning fights throughout his eight years as a professional and he claimed to Boxing News that he is still not getting the requisite funds even now.
Lopez is set to face Claggett at the James L Knight Center in Miami Beach on Saturday. Although this fight is not expected to generate as much money as his previous high-profile bouts, Lopez is content with this and is determined to enhance his already remarkable legacy.
“I don’t like that it’s a business,” he tells Boxing News. “When I was a young kid, my only focus was the legacy, glory and accolades that come with it.
Although I understand the importance of various aspects in the sport, I have never received the significant amount of money that other fighters have. Clearly, there is a business aspect that these fighters consider, but they lack the credentials that I possess. It’s about reshaping that business mindset and perspective.
At present, I may not be receiving the necessary financial resources in my life, but I acknowledge that it is not a necessity, but rather a desire. I find myself caught in the trap of comparing my situation to others, but it is crucial for me to focus on my own path and be grateful for what I already possess. In truth, I am fortunate to have more than many individuals worldwide, and it surpasses anything I could have imagined as a child. Boxing has been an incredible pathway for me, shaping me into a champion.
As a result of his triumph over Josh Taylor in June, he currently holds the title of WBO super-lightweight champion. In February, he had a successful yet uninspiring initial defense against Jamaine Ortiz, and now, just four months later, he is back in the ring.
At present, he holds the esteemed title of one out of four world champions in his weight category. Unfortunately, due to the absence of any feasible means to arrange a unification match with another contender, Top Rank has determined that Claggett is a suitable opponent for this clash instead.
Lopez emphasized, “I am exerting maximum effort to reach the top spot and fulfilling my responsibilities. Staying active is crucial.”
I believe in the power of patience. Success is achieved by those who wait and put in consistent effort. That’s exactly what I am doing right now. As the champion and king of my division, I eagerly anticipate pushing my limits and expanding my knowledge and skills in the sport of boxing.
Claggett, on the other hand, enters Miami with an impressive record of nine consecutive victories. Throughout his career, the Canadian has encountered seven losses, with the most recent occurring in May 2021. Nevertheless, he has never competed in a 12-round bout before and, despite occasionally venturing into the welterweight division, he has never faced an opponent with punching power comparable to Lopez’s.
However, Lopez failed to live up to expectations at certain moments against Ortiz and faced difficulties in trapping his opponent and delivering significant blows. It’s important to recall that after his win via split decision against Sandor Martin in 2022, where he was knocked down, Lopez became renowned for questioning his own abilities by asking, “Do I still have what it takes?”
Taylor’s defeat in his subsequent fight demonstrated that he still possesses his skills, and it will be a challenge for Claggett to last the entire 12 rounds. It is more probable for Lopez to take control of the match in the first quarter, increase his dominance in the second, and ultimately finish the fight shortly thereafter.
Afterwards, he can resume focusing on promoting his bobbleheads vigorously.
