Steve Claggett, a boxer who previously faced Teofimo Lopez, has offered his perspective on Lopez’s recent defeat to Shakur Stevenson. Stevenson, who recently became the third youngest four-division world champion in boxing history, decisively claimed Lopez’s WBO super lightweight title.

Claggett, a Canadian fighter preparing to face Adam Azim on May 30th, was once described by Azim as Lopez’s toughest opponent. When asked about Lopez’s performance against Stevenson and Lopez’s own admission of using an incorrect game plan, Claggett shared his insights:

“Well, I think that’s exactly right because he was trying to outbox a master boxer. It’s a tough one to go against because he’s counter punching a counter puncher. It’s like stylistically you’ve got to try and make the guy fight your fight. Then when you fight his fight, it’s going to be a tricky one especially when he’s a master boxer like Shakur is. So, I feel like the name of the game is make the other guy fight how you want to fight and fight your fight.”

“As long as you can control the action and as long as you can make it your fight, then you can control the fight. So, it’s a matter of taking the chess board and making it yours. That’s pretty much the name of the game.”

Teofimo Lopez’s Advice for Defeating Shakur Stevenson

Despite the significant loss, Teofimo Lopez remains confident that he understands how to achieve a different outcome in a potential rematch with Shakur Stevenson. In an interview with Boxing Highs, Lopez discussed his strategy:

“It is not Shakur’s so-called fault, but in the fight he was stepping on my foot and elbowing me in-between those moments when we were clinching, but that is just what it was. He knows how to do one thing and one thing for sure. That is to create enough space to be where he needs to be at defensively. That, I can give him, he is very defensively sound. You have just got to make it a dirty fight, for anybody that wants to face him, you have just got to make it real dirty.”

Translation:

Teofimo Lopez’s Game Plan Against “Master Boxer” Shakur Stevenson Was Incorrect, According to Ex-Lopez Opponent

Steve Claggett, a fighter who has previously shared the ring with Teofimo Lopez, has voiced his opinion on Lopez’s recent performance against Shakur Stevenson. Stevenson, who has achieved the status of the third youngest four-division champion in boxing history, secured Lopez’s WBO super lightweight title with a commanding display.

Claggett, a Canadian combatant preparing to face Adam Azim on May 30th under Queensberry Rules, was specifically acknowledged by his opponent Azim as a tough and experienced fighter, with Azim previously stating he believed Claggett gave Teofimo Lopez his most challenging fight.

Drawing from his direct competitive experience, when questioned about Lopez’s recent bout with Shakur Stevenson and Lopez’s own assessment of employing the wrong strategy, Claggett stated:

“Well, I think that’s exactly right because he was trying to outbox a master boxer. It’s a difficult match-up because he was countering a counter-puncher. Stylistically, you have to force the opponent to fight your fight. When you end up fighting their fight, it becomes tricky, especially against a master boxer like Shakur. Therefore, the key is to make the other fighter engage on your terms and fight your way.”

“As long as you can dictate the pace and make it your fight, you can control the bout. Essentially, it’s about taking control of the chessboard. That’s pretty much the essence of the game.”

Teofimo Lopez Offers Tips for Beating Shakur Stevenson After Their Clash

Teofimo Lopez has expressed no discouragement from his one-sided loss to Shakur Stevenson, believing he now knows the necessary adjustments to achieve a significantly different outcome in a potential rematch. In an interview with Boxing Highs, Teofimo Lopez discussed the first fight and what a fighter needs to implement for success against Stevenson:

“It’s not really Shakur’s fault, but during the fight, he was stepping on my foot and elbowing me during clinches, but that’s just how it was. He excels at one thing, and one thing only: creating enough space to maintain his defensive position. I’ll give him that; he’s very defensively sound. You simply have to make it a dirty fight; for anyone looking to face him, you have to make it a really messy fight.”