BY: MELISSA PORTILLO – SPORTS ON AIR JUNIOR CONTRIBUTOR
Teofimo Lopez is gearing up to defend his title against Jamaine Ortiz on February 8 at the Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas.
At 26, Lopez has been in the professional scene since 2016, boasting a record of 19 wins and 1 loss. He’s known for defeating big names like Vasiliy Lomachenko and Richard Commey.
After a setback against George Kambosos Jr. in 2021, Lopez bounced back strong, securing the WBO and Ring championships by defeating Josh Taylor in 2022.
Teofimo Lopez, also known as “The Takeover,” is talking big, expressing his determination to dominate Ortiz, and he’s drawing on their past encounter in the amateur ranks.
“’The Takeover’ will entertain inside that squared circle as only I can! To the boxing fans around the world, I look to not only dominate and break down Jamaine Ortiz, but to do it in such a fashion that my division will be put on alert,” said Lopez in a report of Sports Illustrated.
On the other side, Jamaine Ortiz, a 33-year-old Scotsman with a record of 19 wins and 1 loss, is eyeing this bout as the pinnacle of his career, a shot at his first world title.
“This is the most important fight of my career. It’s my first world title bout. I believe this fight will bring out the very best in me, and I’m looking forward to coming home as the new champion!” said Ortiz.
Both fighters are revved up for what promises to be an intense clash. Lopez wants to prove the mettle of champions in the face of challenges, while Ortiz is hungry to return home as the new champion. This showdown is shaping up to be a must-watch, featuring two skilled contenders in the boxing ring.