Teofimo Lopez, Robeisy Ramirez, and Nico Ali Walsh public workout quotes
Teofimo Lopez, Robeisy Ramirez, and Nico Ali Walsh hosted a public workout today ahead of their respective showdowns this Saturday, June 29, at James L. Knight Center in Miami, Florida.
Lopez (20-1, 13 KOs) will defend his WBO and Ring Magazine junior welterweight world titles against Canadian contender Steve Claggett (38-7-2, 26 KOs) in the main event.
Former world champion Ramirez (13-2, 8 KOs), who lost his belt in a Fight of the Year Epic to Rafael Espinoza last December, is in line for another shot at the featherweight crown if he can defeat Mexico’s Brandon Leon Benitez (21-2, 9 KOs) in the 10-round co-feature.
The six-round televised opener will see middleweight prospect Ali Walsh (10-1, 5 KOs) attempt to avenge his only pro defeat in a rematch against Sona Akale (9-1, 4 KOs).
Teofimo-Claggett, Ramirez-Benitez, and Ali Walsh-Akale II will be broadcast LIVE on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. Sky Sports will broadcast the event in the UK and Ireland.
Vargas (10-8, KOs), the son of Fernando Vargas, will step up against 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).
This is what Lopez had to say at Wednesday’s media workout.
Teofimo Lopez: “I’m grateful for all of this. It’s great to be back to where I started in boxing. This is it right here. This was supposed to happen in 2021. It’s happening now for a good reason.
“This is a homecoming for me. 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.
“I look forward to making a statement. I have everything that is needed to win as a true champion. It doesn’t matter who they put in front of me. We’re always going to get the job done.
“However, we needed a good dance partner, and on Saturday night, we’re going to have a tough, rugged fighter in Steve Claggett. 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.”
Saturday, June 29
ESPN, ESPN Deportes & ESPN+ (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT)
Teofimo Lopez vs. Steve Claggett
12×3 WBO and Ring Magazine Junior Welterweight World Titles
Robeisy Ramirez vs. Brandon Leon Benitez
10×3 NABO Featherweight Title
Nico Ali Walsh vs. Sona Akale II
6×3 middleweights
ESPN+ (5:45 p.m. ET/2:45 p.m. PT)
Emiliano Fernando Vargas vs. Jose Zaragoza
8×3 junior welterweights
Elvis Rodriguez vs. Jino Rodrigo
10×3 junior welterweights
Lorenzo Medina vs. Detrailous Webster
6×3 heavyweights
Rohan Polanco vs. Luis Hernandez
8×3 junior welterweights
Yan Santana vs. Brandon Valdes
10×3 featherweights
Euri Cedeño vs. Dormedes Potes
8×3 middleweights