Watch THURSDAY live on ESPN+ at 10:30 p.m. Eastern Time, translating to 3:30 a.m. for our UK boxing fans.
CES Boxing and Top Rank are kicking off the new year with a sizzling showdown, proudly rolling out the red carpet for a junior welterweight clash featuring WBO and Ring magazine champ Teofimo Lopez (19-1, 13 KOs) squaring off against the ring wizard, top contender Jamaine Ortiz (17-1-1, 8 KOs).
“Teofimo Lopez is a titan among pugilists, always hungry for a worthy opponent,” quipped Top Rank’s head honcho Bob Arum. “And who better than Jamaine Ortiz? A ring magician in his own right.”
Tagged as “The Showman Returns,” this spectacle is set to erupt on Thursday, February 8, broadcasting live on ESPN amidst the Super Bowl frenzy, straight from the glitzy Michelob Ultra Arena in Sin City.
“We’re jumping out of our skin to give Jamaine this shot,” declared CES Boxing’s pioneer Jimmy Burchfield, Sr. “He’s got the chops, the heart, and the grit to topple a tough champ like Teofimo. Jamaine’s been chomping at the bit for this, and I’m betting he’ll strut out of that ring wearing the crown.”
“I’m pumped to duke it out for the world title,” Ortiz beamed. “It’s been a marathon, but I’m geared up to haul that belt back to Massachusetts.”
This scrap marks Lopez’s first stand since snagging the titles at the iconic Madison Square Garden’s Theater last June.
“Come February 8 at Mandalay Bay, I’ll light up the ring, The Takeover style,” Lopez boasted. “I’ve tangled with Jamaine before in our salad days. I’m planning to not just beat but break down Ortiz, sending a thunderous message to my division. Champions like me? We don’t blink at challenges; we blaze brighter when the heat’s on.”
Indeed, these two aren’t strangers. Both Latin American pugilists from the East Coast, they first crossed gloves back in 2015, vying for the National Golden Gloves title. Lopez clinched that fight, setting the stage for their pro journeys in the lightweight ring.
Their paths are eerily similar – both have danced with the legendary Vasyl Lomachenko. Lopez nabbed a 12-round victory over “The Matrix” in October 2020, lifting the IBF, WBA, and WBO lightweight belts. Ortiz, on the other hand, narrowly missed the mark against Lomachenko, in a bout the Ukrainian admitted pushed him to his limits.
Both warriors then ascended to the junior welterweight realm. Lopez boasts a 3-0 record at this weight, his crowning moment being last June’s stellar win over Josh Taylor for the WBO and Ring junior welterweight titles. Ortiz followed suit, stepping up 3 months later and clinching a win over the seasoned Antonio Moran
“This is boxing in its purest form,” exclaimed Burchfield, Sr. “Two prime fighters, each a proud standard-bearer of their roots. It’s a boxing fan’s dream.”
Ortiz, a Worcester native with Puerto Rican and Dominican roots, is a boxing virtuoso with notable wins over ex-world champ Jamel Herring and the formidable Nahir Albright for the NABF title, not to mention the seasoned Moran.
Facing him is Lopez, a Brooklyn-born fighter with Honduran lineage. At 26, he’s already toppled three world champs – Commey, Lomachenko, and Taylor.
Lopez, bouncing back from a lightweight title loss to George Kambosos, Jr., silenced doubters with his commanding win over Taylor at Madison Square Garden Theater last year.
“This one’s for all my Takeover Express fans,” Lopez declared. “Time to show the world the art of true boxing.”
Ortiz is itching for a peak-form Lopez, eager to unveil his own ring mastery.
“This fight’s a game-changer for me,” The Technician confessed. “I’m set to unleash my best and return as the new champ.”
After a solid workout at Top Rank Gym in Vegas, Teofimo Lopez dropped some wisdom:
“Back in the day, before I clashed with Josh Taylor, I was kind of laid back. I wasn’t always hitting the gym hard, took some chill time. But then, after I climbed back up and snagged titles in two divisions, I switched gears. My old man, who’s also my coach, had been on my case to live in the gym. So, last August, I made that my new normal. Since then, I’ve leveled up – faster, stronger, and sharper upstairs. Haven’t taken a day off from training since last August, and I’m not about to start. After I lay out Jamaine Ortiz, you’ll find me right back in the gym.”
Lopez added with a grin, “The Showman’s making a comeback, and trust me, it’s gonna end with a bang. This one ain’t going the full rounds. I’m not letting it go to the judges. So, grab your snacks and stay glued to your screens.”
He reflected, “It’s been one heck of a ride. I’ve got the recipe to reach the top and, more importantly, to stay there. I want everyone to watch and see just how deep my love for boxing runs.”
Keyshawn Davis is gearing up for a showdown with Jose Pedraza on Thursday, Feb. 8
Davis, the pride of Norfolk, Virginia, with a spotless 9-0 record, has quickly gone from being the new kid on the block to the guy everyone’s watching for the belt, thanks to a streak of knockouts and decisions. Meanwhile, Pedraza, the Puerto Rican slugger with a tally of 29-5-1, is slipping back into his lightweight gloves after duking it out with the big dogs in the junior welterweight yard.
Shaking off the sweat from a no-joke session at the Top Rank Gym in Vegas, Davis spilled the beans:
“Fully locked and dangerously loaded, I’m on a relentless grind, hitting the gym with the frequency of a sitcom rerun. The sweat equity is starting to pay off in spades.”
“I’m not just crossing days off the calendar; I’m making each one cry uncle. This rumble is just the appetizer for the feast of victories I’ve got cooking.”
“This brawl is the big ticket for me, snagging all my focus. I’d bet my last protein shake Pedraza’s in the same boat. Going toe-to-toe with a guy who’s got more belts than a department store has me sharper than a tack.”
“Hats off to Pedraza for rolling the dice with me. He’s been the main dish before, throwing hands with the who’s who. This scrap is my golden ticket to the big leagues. Once I send Pedraza packing, I’m not just in the game; I’m the game-changer.”
Lopez vs. Ortiz: Fight Schedule Overview
Date: The fight is scheduled for Thursday, February 8.
Start Time: Proceedings kick off at 10:30 p.m. Eastern Time, translating to 3:30 a.m. for our UK audience on Friday.
Weights: Teofimo Lopez 139.6 vs. Jamaine Ortiz 139.6
Keyshawn Davis 134.7 vs. Jose Pedraza 134.5
George Acosta 131.3 vs. Rene Tellez Giron 132
Javier Martinez 161.6 vs. Raul Salomon 164.4
Abdullah Mason 135.3 vs. Benjamin Gurment 136.8
Broadcasting Insights: Where to Watch Lopez vs. Ortiz
In the U.S.: The clash will be broadcast live on ESPN+, a testament to the fight’s high profile.
For the UK Audience: Live on Sky Sports.
Venue Highlights: The Setting for Lopez vs. Ortiz
The much-awaited fight will take place at the prestigious Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, a location synonymous with boxing history and grandeur.
Ticketing Information: Securing Your Spot at Lopez vs. Ortiz
Tickets are set to be released on Friday, January 5, at 1 p.m. ET, available through AXS.com. Fans are advised to act swiftly to secure their attendance at this high-profile event.
Fighter Profiles: A Closer Look at the Contenders
Teofimo Lopez: A Pugilist’s Sketch
- Nationality: American
- Birthdate: July 30, 1996
- Stature: Stands 5’8″ tall with a reach of 68.5 inches, a significant factor in his fighting style.
- Professional Record: Boasts 18 fights with an impressive tally of 17 wins, 1 loss, and 13 of those victories coming by way of knockout, highlighting his striking power.
Jamaine Ortiz: Warrior Analysis
- Nationality: American
- Birthdate: April 28, 1996
- Height: Matches Lopez at 5’8″, though his reach remains undisclosed, adding a layer of mystery to his approach.
- Ring Experience: Ortiz has entered the squared circle 19 times, securing 17 wins, 1 loss, and 1 draw, with 8 knockouts to his name, showcasing a balanced mix of technique and power.
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