Teofimo Lopez (20-1, 13 KO’s) will defend his WBO world super lightweight title on June 29 in Miami. Lopez will face off against Canada’s Steve Claggett (38-7-2, 26 KO’s).

Lopez was once considered among the most talented in the sport. However, after losing his unified lightweight title against George Kambosos, and not having his best night in his 140-pound title defense against Jamaine Ortiz, he is looking for a big win. 

Many think Lopez is happy to be facing Claggett, who has an offensive style that would suit Lopez; he likes fighters who come to him. In recent interviews, Lopez has praised Claggett for taking the fight as other top contenders didn’t want to face him. 

Detractors may see Claggett as a fighter who will struggle to match skills with Lopez. However, the Calgary-born, 34-year-old knows this is the chance of a lifetime and will leave everything he has in the ring. 

And don’t get too busy planning Lopez’s next fight just yet. Claggett is iron-tough, deceptively fast, aggressive, and sports an under-rated skill set as a boxer.

Steve Claggett just might surprise a few people.  

While the enormity of the bout isn’t lost on Claggett, he is treating the fight like he has every fight in his career - like it is the most important fight of his life.   

Lopez could be best described as a boxer-puncher, while Claggett uses an aggressive, pressure style, mixed with speed, to wear down opponents. Lopez turned pro in 2016 and has at times looked like the best fighter in boxing. There is no arguing his in-ring success with 2 world titles and a unified championship on his resume.

In Claggett, you have a fighter who is as hard-working and honest a fighter as there is in the sport. He turned pro back in 2008 and has been busy banking 47 fights over the last decade and a half. He brings tenacity, speed, conditioning, and power into the fight. He’ll climb through the ropes on a current 9-fight win streak.

MaxBoxing caught up with Calgary, Alberta’s Claggett, from his current training base in Montreal. He is in the last few weeks of training under coach Mike Moffa, along with Mick Gadbois.

BT: Hi Steve, thanks for your time. I know you’re busy training. 

SC: No problem, Bill. Let’s chat. 

BT: You are facing a fighter in your first world title shot that has, at times, been described as one of the most talented fighters in boxing. On a good night, he can be extremely tough to beat. How do you feel going into the fight? 

SC: I feel very good. I feel like this fight will be the culmination of all the hard work and years I have put into boxing. I feel very good both physically and mentally right now. I feel like everything is coming together for me.

Physically and mentally I am 100% and just look forward to going into the ring and showing everyone what I can do on fight night. 

BT: In reality, the pressure is on him to look good. I don’t think it is a surprise to say you are the underdog. Do you feel any more relaxed in that scenario? 

SC: I don’t look at it that way. Every fight I have ever been in my whole life, I treated it like it was the biggest fight of my life. This fight is a huge fight, a great opportunity. But, it is being treated, as I said, like I have treated every fight, like the biggest fight of my life. 

BT: He seems to like to box from the outside and look for openings to jump in with big hooks and over hand shots. How do you see the fight unfolding in terms of styles? 

SC: I think style-wise they felt that I would bring an aggressive style that comes to him, and he will look good against me. I will definitely bring that, but I also plan to show them there is a lot more to me than that. I have been improving all through the years and adding to my game all the time. If they think that I am just an aggressive fighter, I plan to show them I have a few more tricks up my sleeve. 

BT: You turned pro 16 years ago. You have had a few setbacks, but you always kept grinding; I’ve always admired that. No pity party after a loss, you just dusted yourself off and kept working. You are on the brink of every fighter’s dream. How are you feeling?

SC: I feel great. I think all the years of working, my work ethic and just putting things together over time and making improvements. I’m in great shape and I feel really good about what I can do in the ring and am excited to show it. 

BT: A month out from your world title shot. Any final thoughts?

SC: This is a huge opportunity. I am very grateful for the opportunity, but I don’t want people to think I’m just content to be fighting for a title. Then, look back one day and say that I fought for a world title. This is a lifetime of boxing with everything coming together. I don’t just want to fight for the title, I want to win the title. I know it’s a tough fight, but I am going to be the best prepared that I possibly can be. I’m preparing for the best Teofimo Lopez and I want to beat the best Teofimo Lopez. 

BT: In many ways you are fighting better at 34 than you did at 24.

SC: Everything is coming together. I am understanding what I can do in the ring. I am going to be the best prepared I ever have for a fight and am excited to show it. It is like a lifetime in the sport coming together at the right time, physically, mentally, everything to put on the best fight of my career. 

BT: A title win and a first title defense in Calgary. How great would that be? 

SC: That would be like a dream for me. That would be amazing. 

BT: I’ve got one last request - bring that title back to western Canada where it belongs (laughs). 

SC: (Laughs) Absolutely buddy. I will do that.