Teofimo Lopez vows to beat Jamaine Ortiz

Most of the attention this week in Las Vegas is centered on the Super Bowl. It’s also championship week for WBO and Ring Magazine junior welterweight world champion Teofimo Lopez and contender Jamaine Ortiz.

Four days before Taylor Swift rushes in from Tokyo to watch her boyfriend Travis Kelce in the Super Bowl, Lopez will put his titles on the line Thursday night against Ortiz at Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.

“It’s a super fight,” said Lopez, a Brooklyn, N.Y., native son of Honduran immigrants. “It’s great to be back. I’m here to do it for everyone and the next generation. I’m excited. Everybody is here to see greatness.”

Confident Teofimo Lopez

Lopez is back in Las Vegas for the first time since he beat Pedro Campa on Aug. 13, 2022, in his first fight since his only defeat as a pro. Teofimo Lopez (19-1, 13 KOs) is 3-0 since he lost to George Kambosos Jr. on Nov. 27, 2021. Former  USBA and NABF champion Ortiz (17-1) enters the fight as the underdog.

The union carpenter from Worcester, Mass., is eager to prove that he’s in Lopez’s class.

“I’m feeling great,” Ortiz said. “I’m ready to put on a show and have some fun. That’s all I’m here to do, to have some fun. I’m excited to be crowned world champion. My time is coming. This Thursday, I will be crowned the new champ at 140.” 

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Lopez, 27, was considered one of the bright stars of boxing before he lost to Kambosos. He was famously caught on video expressing doubt after a victory at Madison Square Garden on Dec. 10, 2022.

“Do I still got it?” he asked at his corner after beating Sandor Martin by split decision. 

Lopez won in a more convincing fashion last June 10 against Josh Taylor to retain his WBO title. He won that fight via unanimous decision at Madison Square Garden.

Ortiz hopes to avenge amateur loss

Ortiz hopes to make Teofimo Lopez doubt himself again Thursday night. The fight is somewhat of a rematch for Ortiz, who vows to avenge the loss he suffered against Lopez when they were amateurs.

“I’m bringing my heart,” Ortiz said. “I’m bringing everything, my soul, my whole body. I’m willing to risk my life in the ring. He beat me before. I still have that in mind. So, I’m going to avenge that loss.”

Lopez doesn’t seem very worried, though.

“Talk is cheap,” said Lopez, one of the biggest talkers in boxing. “He can say what he wants, but it’s a lot different when they feel these punches. I love guys like him who think they can take this. But I’m ‘The Takeover.’”