It could sound like a boxing cliché, but fight fans can anticipate nonstop action on Saturday night thanks to a perfect clash of styles between Teofimo Lopez and Steve Claggett for the WBO junior welterweight title (ESPN and ESPN+, 10 p.m. ET, undercard at 5:45 p.m. ET on ESPN+).
Lopez brings an ultra-athletic, hard-hitting, counterpunching style that thrives on sluggers who willingly engage, such as Pedro Campa, Lopez's first foe at 140 pounds, whom Lopez stopped in seven rounds in 2022. His challenger, Claggett, typically has one strategic plan: to engage in a high-pace pursuit. He puts all of his faith into his punch output, stamina and strong chin, usually overwhelming his opponents while living primarily in close proximity to them.
Will Lopez's championship experience, power, and timely counterpunching be enough? Or can Claggett, with his punches-in-bunches style, trouble Lopez and keep him away for all 12 rounds? Here's a look at the matchup and what each fighter could do to win.
