In the fiercely competitive world of boxing, Teofimo Lopez has sparked significant debate on social media by staunchly defending his decision to face #13 ranked Steve Claggett in the WBO light welterweight title defense scheduled for June 29th. Despite facing criticism for this choice, Lopez remains in the eye of a storm concerning his opponent selection strategy following his controversial win against Jamaine Ortiz in January, where many felt Lopez was outmatched.
Lopez, celebrated for his bold and dynamic fighting style, now faces questions about his bravery after reportedly turning down matches with emerging talents like Raymond Muratalla, Kenneth Sims, and Elvis Rodriguez. Instead, choosing to battle 34-year-old Steve Claggett has led to claims of avoiding tougher competition, especially after a less convincing performance against Ortiz raised doubts about his dominance.
Teddy Atlas, a seasoned boxing commentator, brought attention to Lopez's varying performances since his notable 2020 victory over Vasily Lomachenko, questioning whether Lopez genuinely rises to challenges or minimizes his approach against lesser-known opponents. In response, Lopez fiercely countered his critics on social media, stating, “Until someone has the courage to risk their entire career to take my Ring Magazine lineal belt from me, the rest of you need to STFU and step on a Lego. Sincerely, The leader of the new era of Boxing”.
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