What now for Teofimo Lopez?
The 140-pound titleholder went from a sensational unanimous determination victory over then-champion Josh Taylor in June to a shaky unanimous nod over Jamaine Ortiz on Thursday in Las Vegas, a consequence some see as controversial.
Lopez (20-1, 13 KOs) gained the ultimate three rounds on all three playing cards to tug out the victory, 117-111, 115-113 and 115-113.
Ortiz (17-2-1, 8 KOs) employed a stick-and-move technique, which resulted in a boring struggle through which Lopez chased — and usually didn’t catch — his fast, succesful opponent.
Lopez was able to put his lackluster efficiency behind instantly after the struggle, declaring that, “Glory is subsequent for me.”
His victory adopted a formidable efficiency by Olympic silver medalist and 135-pound contender Keyshawn Davis, who knocked out veteran Jose Pedraza in six rounds within the co-feature on Thursday.
Davis (10-0, 7 KOs) known as out Lopez, saying he was keen to maneuver up in weight for the struggle. Lopez engaged Davis at ringside however isn’t taking that potential matchup critically.
“We’re speaking a couple of light-weight,” Lopez mentioned. “He hasn’t executed something. Identical to Vasiliy Lomachenko advised me: If you wish to struggle me, you’ve acquired to get a world title. If you wish to struggle the king, get a world title.”
Lopez has three fellow titleholders, Devin Haney, Rolando Romero and Subriel Matias. And none of them can be found.
Haney and Ryan Garcia reportedly have agreed to fulfill on April 20, Romero is scheduled to defend towards Isaac Cruz on March 30 and Matias reportedly is in talks with Liam Paro.
That leaves Lopez with out an apparent dance accomplice in his division, which could be one cause he known as out a 147-pound champion who additionally occurs to be No. 1 pound-for-pound.
“None of those guys need to struggle me,” Lopez mentioned of his fellow junior welterweights. “I’ll struggle Crawford at a catch weight. I’m right here. I’m prepared. I’ve all the time been prepared. I’m youthful, prettier and a two-time unified champion at 25.”
