Teofimo Lopez Eyes Title Unification Against Isaac Cruz

Teofimo Lopez is hoping to secure a title unification bout against Isaac Cruz next time out.

Lopez picked up a unanimous decision win against Steve Claggett on Saturday in Miami to defend his WBO junior welterweight title. Although Lopez didn’t get the stoppage win, he still is happy with his victory.

“What a fight. Today wasn’t about skills – it was about will and strength,” Lopez said during his post-fight press conference (via BoxingScene). “I knew the type of fighter I was fighting. He’s a triathlon athlete. His conditioning was impeccable. He’s never been 12 rounds before, so we knew we had to break him down. And me with asthma, I’m grateful.

“I like tough fights. Tough fights bring the best out of me. I don’t care how my face looks. Fuck it. It’s a fight. I’m 26. I’m still learning in this game, and that’s what I like,” Lopez added. “I don’t care how I look. As long as my hand gets raised at the end of it all. I needed this a lot. [Top Rank founder] Bob [Arum] said I did well. He didn’t look too happy. Fuck it. I’m your only last star available, and that’s it. You just got to deal with it. I am the best. Forget the rest.”

With the win, Teofimo Lopez is now 21-1 as a pro and is hoping to fight Isaac Cruz next.

“I’m there, man. Tank, whatever the case is. They haven’t faced fighters like [Claggett] in a long time,” said Lopez. “F**k yeah, I’m ready for [Cruz]. I’m excited. Now I know how to face fighters like that even better. … Nobody is going to fight like Steve Claggett. There’s only one fighter that is going to fight like him a little bit, and he’s smaller – and that’s Pitbull Cruz. Other than that, no other fighter fights that way at all. They all box.”