Teofimo Lopez and Robeisy Ramirez Host Media Day in Miami [PHOTOS] 

Teofimo Lopez (Photo: Mikey Williams)

By Chris Robinson

On Wednesday afternoon in Miami, FL, Teofimo Lopez, Robeisy Ramirez, and Nico Ali Walsh hosted a public workout ahead of their upcoming showdowns this Saturday, June 29, at the James L. Knight Center.

Lopez (20-1, 13 KOs) will defend his WBO junior welterweight world title against Canadian contender Steve Claggett (38-7-2, 26 KOs) in the main event.

Lopez is heavily favored, yet Claggett figures to be a live underdog, given his experience and recent nine-fight winning streak against solid opposition.

“We  needed a good dance partner, and on Saturday night, we’re going to have a tough, rugged fighter in Steve Claggett,” Lopez stated of his foe. 

“This is a guy who has been a professional for many years and who knows how to slow the pace of his opponents and make them fight his style. I look forward to a great competitive fight,” Lopez added.

Lopez was born in Brooklyn, New York, but later relocated to Florida as a youth, and spoke on making his return.

“This is a homecoming for me,” Lopez said. “And this is what we needed to do. We needed to go back to my roots. We fought nine times at Madison Square Garden, and now we’re here. The feeling has been fun. The energy has been great. And we’re focused.” 


Former world champion Ramirez (13-2, 8 KOs), suffered a defeat to Rafael Espinoza this past December, in a wild back-and-forth battle. Ramirez could be in line for another title shot soon, but first he must defeat Mexico’s Brandon Leon Benitez (21-2, 9 KOs) in the 10-round co-feature.

Emiliano Vargas (10-8, KOs), the son of former world champion Fernando Vargas, will face off with Jose Zaragoza (9-8-2, 3 KOs) in an eight-rounder on the ESPN+-streamed undercard (5:45 p.m. ET/2:45 p.m. PT). The young pupil was also in Miami at the open workout.

And the six-round televised ESPN opener will see middleweight prospect Ali Walsh  (10-1, 5 KOs) attempt to avenge his only pro loss in a rematch against Sona Akale (9-1, 4 KOs). Walsh suffered a six-round majority defeat to Akale in August of last year.

Chris Robinson can be reached at crobinson@hustleboss.com

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