Teofimo Lopez beats Jamaine Ortiz via frustrating unanimous decision to retain his WBO World super-lightweight title.
Lopez was taken the full 12 rounds by Jamaine Ortiz in the first defence of his title. The pair met in big a Thursday night fight card at the Michelob Utilita Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. With both fighters being extremely vocal in the build up, with the challenger Ortiz promising to knock out champion Lopez in what was his first fight in the 140 pound division. Teofimo Lopez was just as vocal in the build up to the event. Promising to knock out Ortiz and calling out co-main event fighter Keyshawn Davis and pound for pound king Terence Crawford.
Teofimo Lopez Def. Jamaine Ortiz Via Frustrating Decision
The first round saw the beginning of the feeling out process from both fighters Lopez moving forward forcing himself upon the challenger. With Ortiz opting for a southpaw stance the switch hitter proving elusive in the first 3 rounds. Ortiz looking to counter Teofimo as he came in, although there was little in the way of punches thrown. The fourth round saw the first exciting punch of the fight land. The champion landing a heavy looping left on Ortiz. The challenger took the shot well eventually backing him into the corner and unloading on the Lopez.
The fight itself proved to be a frustrating affair for Lopez. Teo struggled to pin down Ortiz who appeared more content to fight on the back foot and try to pick Lopez off as he came into range. The crowd did not take a liking this and could be heard booing almost throughout the fight. Teofimo also showed his frustration, signalling to the referee that Ortiz was not willing to engage.
Ortiz’s jab and movement continued to give Lopez trouble throughout the middle rounds. Lopez appeared to be beckoning his opponent to meet him in the middle and engage. Round 7 saw an accidental clash of heads causes a large cut over Ortiz’s left eye, with blood pouring into the eye of the challenger. The Doctor allowing the fight the continue. Much of the same throughout the later rounds, Lopez becoming more and more frustrated at his opponent. Teofimo Lopez appeared unable to cut the ring off and seemed to be chasing Ortiz round the ring focusing in headshots and neglecting any body work.
Outcome
Moving into the championship rounds. Lopez turned up the heat on his opponent having more success and backing Ortiz up against the ropes. It was difficult to split the pair in the twelfth and final round. Lopez applied the pressure on Ortiz looking for a twelfth round stoppage that never looked likely to happen. Teofimo Lopez had his arm raised at the end of the fight, with two judges scoring the bout 115-113 with one judge scoring the fight a wide 117-111 all in favour of the champion, although this was met with a chorus of boo’s from the crowd.
Speaking after the fight, Jamaine Ortiz stated he believed he did enough to win the fight. Top Rank owner and Hall of Fame Promotor Bob Arum blasted Ortiz accusing the challenger of running around the ring and refusing to engage in the fight.
Keyshawn Davis vs Jose Pedraza
The Co-main event saw American Key-Shawn Davis take on Mexican Jose Pedraza. Davis put on a destructive display which saw the referee stop the action with a minute to go in the sixth round. The highly touted lightweight looked as sharp as can be from the very first round. Landing blows at will on the former IBF Super-Featherweight and WBO lightweight champion. The Puerto-Rican fighter who has more knockouts on his record than Davis has fights appeared to be completely out of his depth from the first bell. Keyshawn Davis is only the second fighter to stop Pedraza with Gervonta “tank” Davis being the first.
Davis told ESPN after the fight. “Throughout this whole training camp, I been saying I’m the best at 135”. In Pedraza’s defence this was his first fight at 135 pounds since 2019. But Davis is certainly a threat to the division and whilst a title may not be the immediate plan, Keyshawn will definitely be keeping an eye on the winner of Kambosos vs Lomachenko.
Who would you like to see Teofimo Lopez face next?
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
