LAS VEGAS — On February 8, Teofimo Lopez challenges Ortiz at the Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas to defend the title he earned from Josh Taylor.
Gold medallist Lopez(19-1, 13KOs) from US entered the professional ranks in 2016. Lopez defeated Vasiliy Lomachenko in 2020 to win the WBA, WBO, and The Ring belts, and Richard Commey in 2019 to win the IBF lightweight championship. In 2021, Taylor lost the titles to George Kambosos Jr. on top of the world. He defeated Pedro Campa in 2022 to win the NABF super lightweight title.
When Lopez, 26, fought again in June, he defeated Josh Taylor to win the WBO and Ring championships and regained the confidence he had lost following the battle with Kambosos.
“’The Takeover’ will entertain inside that squared circle as only I can! To the boxing fans around the world, I look to not only dominate and break down Jamaine Ortiz, but to do it in such a fashion that my division will be put on alert,” said Lopez in media reports.
“Jamaine is tough. I would know, because I faced him back in the amateur days in 2015 for the National Golden Gloves Championship. I’ll show the world that champions don’t flinch when faced with challenges,” he added.
“They rise and shine the brightest when the stakes are highest. This one is for all my people on the Takeover Express! Let’s show the world once again what real boxing looks like,” he explained.
In 2016, Ortiz(19-1, 13KOs) from Scotland made his professional debut. In 2022, Ortiz, 33, defeated Jamel Herring and Mahir Albright, the latter of whom was vying for the NABF lightweight title, following a tie with Joseph Adorno. Even though he was defeated by Lomachenko in October 2022, he had made a name for himself as a formidable opponent. When Ortiz last competed in September, he defeated Antonio Moran.
“This is the most important fight of my career. It’s my first world title bout. I believe this fight will bring out the very best in me, and I’m looking forward to coming home as the new champion!” said Ortiz.
