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Steve Claggett’s promoter, Camille Estephan, is in Miami ahead of his fighter’s chance to score one of the upsets of 2024, when Claggett challenges Teofimo Lopez Jr.
Canada’s Claggett, 35, is an underdog ahead of his shot at the WBO junior welterweight title Saturday, but the challenger is also in form and has won his past nine contests. His uneven 38-7-2 (26 KOs) record might not necessarily impress, but it reveals a story of hardships and lessons learned through his near 16-year career, and Estephan therefore has confidence in him.
“Steve Claggett, since he signed with us and since he’s been getting the true help professionals need, he’s delivered,” said Estephan, the figurehead of Eye of the Tiger. “He’s done everything we’ve asked him to do. He fought Miguel Madueno, that nobody wanted to fight; he was avoided; he beat him clean; Madueno fought another prospect [Justin Pauldo] right after and he won. He earned his shot. He’s here. He’s done everything he needs to do to bring the best of Steve Claggett on Saturday night.”
Lopez is 20-1 and has been the top dog at 135 and 140 pounds. He has designs on moving up, and wants a fight with Terence Crawford. But Claggett is not just a walk-on part, said Estephan.
“People are looking past him,” the promoter added. “People look at his record, they see that he has seven losses and a couple of draws – but that was another time. That was another day, when Steve was not where he is now. There were some points where he didn’t even have a coach. He took some fights in the wrong weight class, took fights at the last minute, and some of the fights that are losses are very controversial losses.”
Claggett, ultimately, got the call because he’s exciting and comes to fight. After Lopez toiled against Jamaine 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 the last [Lopez] fight was not one that people appreciated. It takes action for the entertainment, but Steve does have a very entertaining style and people love to see him fight. But he is here to win the fight, and that’s what makes it more appealing and more interesting. The reason I signed him was this guy has the heart of a dragon, and he’s going to bring hell to the ring for whoever fights him.”
Claggett is regardless expected to put up a fight. He is not expected to win. Lopez has blown hot and cold, but Estephan only wants the best version of the WBO junior welterweight titleholder, so his fighter gets his full credit in victory and there are no excuses in defeat.
“Teofimo Lopez is an unbelievable champion; extremely talented; we have all the respect for who he is,” Estephan said. “But in the ring, there will be no respect. Steve’s going to bring wrath and fire to that ring. We hope that [Lopez is] going to be at his best to make a great fight, and we want Steve – if we win the fight – to feel like we’ve earned it through our preparation, determination and talents.”