By: Sean Crose
Teofimo Lopez is fascinating. At least he was up till the purpose the place he defeated pound for pound star Vasyl Lomachenko again in 2019. The Lopez of that point might take out a wall, and had the center and confidence to tackle one of the best within the enterprise. There’s nonetheless no denying Lopez’ braveness and willpower, however he’s solely engaged in 4 fights since besting Lomachenko, and surprisingly misplaced certainly one of them. While names like Terence Crawford, and Devin Haney have been leaving their marks on the game of boxing, Lopez has – deliberately or not – largely remained on the margins.
Of course that every one could change on Thursday night when the 26 yr outdated New Yorker squares off towards the proficient Jamaine Ortiz in a Las Vegas protection of his WBO junior welterweight title. The match – which shall be broadcast stay on ESPN – will pit the 19-1 Lopez towards the 17-1 Ortiz in a scheduled twelve spherical affair. The matchup has the makings for good tv, which is good to know, since fights of this stage at the moment are incessantly – albeit inexplicably – discovering themselves as pay per view occasions. What’s extra, the bout ought to gauge the place the nonetheless younger Lopez is in his profession. Lopez is predicted to win, however Ortiz isn’t anybody to sleep on.
Sure sufficient the 27 yr outdated Worcester native has been defeated solely as soon as himself – and that was by Lomachenko in 2022. (he additionally battled Joseph Adorno to a attract 2021). Although he misplaced to Lopez when the 2 younger males had been amateurs, Ortiz views that defeat as motivation for a grand efficiency on Thursday evening. “I still have that in my head that he beat me once,” he’s stated, “and I’m going to revenge that loss.” Lopez, in fact, has different ideas on the matter, although that’s to not say he’s overlooking Ortiz.
“We go back like nine years,” he’s stated of his opponent. “We faced each other in the 2015 National Golden Glove finale and it was a great scrap up…I know I’m facing somebody that definitely got the skill set to give me a run for my money.” Many would argue that Ortiz is nice for the game of boxing – they usually’d have some extent. Not solely can he entertain within the ring, the person may present a brashness which pulls consideration. He’ll want brashness when the opening bell rings Thursday evening. efficiency is a should if he’s to get the sorts of huge cash/excessive profile fights he desires.
The identical, in fact, could possibly be stated for Ortiz.
