Teofimo Lopez tops Jamaine Ortiz, retains title despite boos

LAS VEGAS — Teofimo Lopez strutted into the ring Thursday night accompanied by a sword eater and other circus acts as he channeled Hugh Jackman's “The Greatest Showman” with his top hat and her ringmaster dress.

He was anything but in an uneventful defense of the junior welterweight title against Jamaine Ortiz, a unanimous decision victory for Lopez that drew constant boos from the Mandalay Bay crowd.

Lopez (20-1, 13 KO) won with scores of 117-111, 115-113 and 115-113. And although he retained his WBO title at 140 pounds, he failed to put on a show and was once again frustrated by a skilled southpaw boxer.

“These fighters don’t want to come fight,” said Lopez, ESPN’s number one junior welterweight. “If you're not ready for this life, get the hell out of my sport. I'm a champion. I bleed for it and I sweat for it and I cry for it. Every time.”

Neither boxer landed many shots – 78 for Lopez and 80 for Ortiz. Ortiz's long jab was giving Lopez fits, and every time the champion closed the distance, Ortiz (17-2-1, 8 KOs) would reset and refuse to engage. The strategy was effective even if it was not aesthetic.

Even though Ortiz didn't want to trade, Lopez didn't do himself any favors with his own strategy. Lopez mostly threw one punch at a time, followed Ortiz rather than cutting off the ring, and didn't target the body.

This wasn't new territory for Lopez. When he faced Sandor Martin, another skilled southpaw, in December 2022, Lopez was yet to cut the ring and found himself on the winning side of a contested decision.

After that fight, Lopez was caught asking his father and trainer, “Do I still have it?” »

The answer was a resounding yes after the way he dominated Josh Taylor in June to become a two-division champion. However, Lopez showed Thursday night that he didn't learn much from Martin's performance; no adjustments were made this time either.

“It’s not a repeat because I still have it,” Lopez said. “Don’t tell me it’s Sandor Martin, part 2.”

Ortiz, a 27-year-old New Englander, gained recognition when he pushed Vasiliy Lomachenko to a competitive decision loss in October 2022. But just like he did against Lomachenko, Ortiz faded over time .

Lopez swept the final three rounds to claim victory on Thursday. Had Ortiz won any of those three rounds on two of the cards, the fight would have ended in a draw.

“I think I won the fight,” said Ortiz, ESPN's No. 8 lightweight who moved up to 140 pounds for his first title shot. “What can I say, I came out on the short end of the stick again. He couldn't hit me. … He didn't pull any punches at me. … I always stay true to who I am… .Make some adjustments and come back for another shot at the title.

Ortiz suffered a severe cut over his left eye following a clash of heads in the seventh round, but his corner was able to quickly control the bleeding. And while his jab and footwork were impressive, there was no moment that stood out to the judges.

With Lopez pressing forward, even though it was ineffective aggression, it seemed to convince the judges in the end.

The victory gives Lopez his first defense of the junior welterweight title. One of boxing's rising stars, Lopez won the undisputed lightweight championship by defeating Lomachenko in October 2020.

But he lost the titles in his first defense, a decision loss to George Kambosos on ESPN's 2021 Upset of the Year.