Teofimo Edges Ortiz With Unanimous Decision Victory

Teofimo Lopez (20-1, 13 KOs) successfully defended his WBO and Ring Magazine junior welterweight world titles in a unanimous decision victory against Jamaine Ortiz (17-2-1, 8 KOs) on Thursday night. The thrilling bout took place at Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

Lopez took on the role of the aggressor throughout the match, while Ortiz opted for a cautious approach, resulting in sporadic exchanges. Ortiz, typically an orthodox fighter, adopted a southpaw stance, utilizing footwork and jabs to set up counterattacks from the outside. Despite Lopez's relentless jabs and right-hand strikes, he faced challenges in cutting off the ring, particularly after the third and fourth rounds.

In the seventh round, a clash of heads led to a cut on Ortiz's left eyebrow, slowing his pace. However, Ortiz continued to employ his distance strategy, while Lopez intensified his offensive efforts. Judges scored the bout 117-111 and 115-113 (twice) in favor of Lopez, who dominated the final three rounds on all cards.

Reflecting on his performance, Lopez expressed his readiness for upcoming challenges, including a potential match with Terence Crawford at a catchweight. He emphasized his youth, charm, and status as a two-time unified champion at the age of 25. Meanwhile, Ortiz acknowledged sticking to his game plan but expressed disappointment in falling short once again. He pledged to make adjustments and strive for another title shot.

In another notable match, Keyshawn Davis (10-0, 7 KOs), the 24-year-old Olympic silver medalist, showcased his talent by securing a significant victory over former two-division world champion Jose Pedraza (29-6-1, 14 KOs) via sixth-round TKO. After studying Pedraza's tactics in the initial rounds, Davis escalated his offensive onslaught, ultimately forcing the referee to halt the fight in the sixth round. Davis asserted his dominance in the lightweight division and challenged Teofimo Lopez to a match, expressing his eagerness to move up to 140 pounds if necessary. He also extended the offer to Emanuel Navarrete, emphasizing his readiness for top-tier competition.