Teofimo Lopez beat Jamaine Ortiz with a Controversial Decision

Teofimo Lopez successfully defended his WBO junior welterweight title against Jamaine Ortiz in a 12-round championship match at Las Vegas' Michelob ULTRA Arena. Despite Ortiz's disciplined performance and defensive prowess, judges Tim Cheatham (115-113), David Sutherland (115-113), and Steve Weisfeld (117-111) unanimously favored Lopez's aggressive style, securing him the victory.

Throughout the fight, Ortiz, typically a right-handed boxer, exclusively fought from a southpaw stance, showcasing his strategic approach and frustrating Lopez. While Lopez trailed on the scorecards going into the later rounds, his relentless pursuit paid off as he secured the win, avoiding another upset after his loss to George Kambosos Jr. in 2021.

Despite being a 7-1 favorite, Lopez struggled to impose his offensive game plan against Ortiz's defensive tactics. CompuBox statistics showed Ortiz landing just two more punches than Lopez, highlighting the close nature of the contest.

In a post-fight interview with ESPN's Bernardo Osuna, Lopez expressed frustration with the lack of action and criticized Ortiz for not engaging more aggressively. Despite the victory, Lopez's performance fell short of his previous impressive win against Josh Taylor.

For Ortiz, the loss was a missed opportunity to claim a world title and avenge his previous defeat to Lopez. While not an entertaining fight, Ortiz's defensive style proved effective in neutralizing Lopez's offense, leading to a cautious and tactical bout.

Lopez's attempts to land decisive blows in the final round were thwarted by Ortiz's defensive skills, ultimately leading to a decision victory for the defending champion. Despite the lack of fireworks, both fighters displayed technical skill and determination throughout the match.