Teofimo Lopez Jr vs Jamain Ortiz fight prediction, odds, undercard, preview, start time, how to watch, date

If you’ve followed boxing at all over the past five years, describing the rise (and fall, and comeback again) of two-division champion Teofimo Lopez Jr. would be nothing short of a soap opera.

From upsetting pound-for-pound king Vasiliy Lomachenko in 2020 to losing a trio of lightweight titles to George Kambosos Jr. (amid a life-threatening health scare) a year later, the now 26-year-old, who was born in Brooklyn, New York , and now based out of Las Vegas, has lived the life of a reality show star.

Even as Lopez (19-1, 13 KOs) bounced back from his only career losses with a pair of 2022 decision wins in a new division, the narrative surrounded whether he Have lost a step (if not yourself, emotionally). It’s a story that follows Lopez’s fight with undefeated, lineal 140-pound champion Josh Taylor last June, at a time when Lopez’s interviews appeared to be an open cry for help as his personal life became filled with family drama. And was fraught with impending divorce.

It turned out, all the drama was just a sham – set up by Lopez himself – and not a way to shout “gotcha” to the boxing media and all his critics, who fearfully suggested he’d become mentally unstable. Fit to fight. It was also a powerful move for motivation as Lopez looked to regain his dominance and establish himself as possibly the best and most marketable boxer in that division. The rounds go over to School Taylor, who has suddenly become the sexiest. All in boxing.

On Thursday, Lopez returns for a Top Rank card inside Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas, just days away from Super Bowl LVIII at nearby Allegiant Stadium. He will make the first defense of his WBO title when he welcomes former amateur opponent Jaimein Ortiz (17-1-1, 8 KOs) in a fight that could lead to a big start in 2024 for Lopez, who calls himself “The Takeover”. The pursuit of a career-defining payday against the biggest names at 140 pounds.

So, how about that time ESPN cameras caught Lopez openly asking himself after his split decision win over Sandor Martin, “Have I still got this?” Yes, according to Lopez, that too was choreographed.

“I told myself that since everyone is still [stuck] “On the ‘do I still get it’ conversation and everyone already thinks I’m crazy, let’s make y’all think I’m in this fight,” Lopez told “Morning Kombat” last month. “And it worked in my favor. Almost all boxing experts saw Josh Taylor winning this fight and no one had me winning. So, it’s great to give everyone else a humble pie and know how it tastes. Now we can all talk about it and eat this humble pie together and tell.

“I learned that I can use any kind of platform and take any negative and turn it into a positive. So, I’m learning and it’s a phenomenal thing but who knows what I can do with it.” What am I going to do after? I might retire again after this fight. Who knows? I’m a crazy man.”

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Lopez’s “mad as a fox” behavior is either evidence that he is one step ahead of everyone else in controlling his story or possibly a deliberate cover-up to divert attention from some of the stories that cause him so much stress. Was giving, which includes his story. The recurring issues with his promoter, the bitter custody battle of his son with his ex-wife and the never-ending conversation about whether his father and the trainer of the same name are more distractions than discipline.

Either way, from an armchair psychology perspective, it’s clear that Lopez has matured considerably as a result of said ordeal. He now credits a deeper spiritual connection for helping him return to form.

“I trust God. I really trust what He’s doing with me,” Lopez said. “I’m not leaving it to my own understanding, I’m leaving it in his hands and realizing that I’m nothing and everything at the same time. As a man, as a boxer And most importantly, that’s how I conduct myself. Like a human being.

“As a character I’m overachieving. I’m the only person who can beat me, no one else can beat me. A wise woman told me, ‘You get bees with honey. Yes, not with vinegar. And that’s absolutely true, that’s why I’m here to make a lot of money so that we can all make a lot of money in the boxing world.”

However, Ortiz, a 27-year-old native of Worcester, Massachusetts, is no slut. Despite losing to Lopez in the finals of the 2015 National Golden Gloves Tournament, Ortiz has enjoyed a breakout two years that, from a professional standpoint, have established his name as a rising threat.

“I think I’m more athletic than Teofimo and I have more speed,” Ortiz said during last week’s media day. “I have a better jab and movement. I have a lot of advantages that will show when we fight.”

After getting up from the canvas twice to earn a majority draw against then-undefeated Joseph Adorno in 2021, Ortiz rebounded to defeat rising prospect Naheer Albright and former champion Jamel on Showtime’s “Showbox: The New Generation” series. Sent herring for more than a year. Retirement after decision victory.

Then came Ortiz’s chance to become Lomachenko’s first opponent after serving his native Ukraine in the war with Russia. Although Oritz lost a 12-round division title to the former unified lightweight king, he put his name on the map as a professional with an impressive performance in the loss.

Ortiz, who returned to the win column by easily outboxing Antonio Moran last September, will now officially move up to 140 pounds to challenge Lopez and has been using social media to predict a major upset. Not hesitating.

,[Beating me] As easy as it is to say, it is not as easy to do. “Now everyone talks about social media and they think it’s a new thing,” Lopez said.[But] Jaimein Ortiz is a great fighter. He is not a walk in the park. He made it to the finals of the national 2015 Golden Gloves, which I believe he and I agree is the toughest, toughest competition in amateur boxing. It’s harder than the Olympics, at least it was for me. So, I’m not fighting any idiot here. He gave a tough fight to Lomachenko and when [Ortiz and I] Faced each other in that ring, it was a great match.

,[Ortiz] Gave me things to think about and it’s only three rounds. Now, we’re up to 12, so this is just a long rundown of what we can see from each fighter. “I’m studying him, focusing on what he does and what he doesn’t do.”

Lopez, who has compared herself to “the hottest girl in the world,” can’t seem to stop her phone from ringing after her win against Taylor, saying she understands there are no major matchups in the division – including Devin Haney, Gervonta “Tanks”. Davis, Ryan Garcia, “Rolly” Romero and Subriel Matias – possible as long as he doesn’t get through Ortiz first.

“I’m having a great time now and I feel like now is the time I can have fun,” Lopez said. “A happy fighter is the most dangerous fighter and when ‘The Takeover’ is at its happiest, you’ll see things like Taylor and Loma and [Diego] Magdaleno. This is my time and this is my time more than ever and I understand this because I have a lot of strength. And with great power also comes great responsibility.

“I have a huge opportunity this year to set that tone and get all this young generation to follow Teofimo instead of Hannies instead of Wahid. [Davis] And so on.”

The undercard sees the return of rising lightweight prospect Keyshawn Davis. The 24-year-old player was a silver medalist at the 2020 Olympic Games. He turned professional in 2021 and has amassed an impressive 9-0 mark so far. His most recent outing was his toughest test to date, where he won by majority decision over Nahir Albright in October, but the win was overturned after Davis tested positive for marijuana after the fight, who has just been released. Is also on the list of banned substances in Texas. There was a fight. He will face veteran Jose Pedraza, who is 0-2-1 in his last three fights.

Davis said at the final press conference, “Pedraza said he has all the experience. And he’s fought a lot of great fighters.” “But he’s never fought me before. I don’t care about all his experience because he hasn’t fought me yet. So he’ll see everything I bring to the table.

“He’s a great fighter. He’s been in a lot of great fights for the sport of boxing. And I believe he’s good for the sport of boxing. But I think he’s got the greatest fight ever.” The challenge is there. A young, hungry, real warrior. When the bell rings, I won’t be here to play. It’s going to be an action-packed fight. I’m definitely going to be victorious, but the fan is going to be the winner that night Have been.”

Pedraza feels similar sentiments as he looks to bounce back after falling short against the recent title holders.

“At this point in my career, it doesn’t matter who my opponent is. Keyshawn Davis is an excellent boxer. He doesn’t have the experience I have in professional boxing, but he has had great performances in amateur boxing. An excellent boxer It doesn’t matter what the record is. You have to face those challenges. It doesn’t matter if he’s a prospect, a veteran or a contender. You have to accept it. Let’s fight,” Pedraza said.

“I have prepared very well for this fight. I have come to do my job. I don’t care about the outcome. But don’t get me wrong. I expect a big win. But I don’t expect any particular outcome Am.” “I’m just going to do a good job for the fans so they can leave happy.”

Let’s take a closer look at the latest odds before we get to the main event preview and predictions.

fight card

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date: February 8 | Start time: 10:30 PM ET (Main Card)
Place: Michelob Ultra Arena–Las Vegas
TV Channel: ESPN/ESPN+

Prediction

When asked for an in-depth explanation of the form he achieved against Taylor, Lopez credited his commitment to training and said that he began training for his comeback last August and has not stopped yet. This will go a long way in keeping Lopez in shape as he looks to avoid an eight-month layoff.

Ortiz is a smart boxer who can pressure and counter well depending on the matchup, even though his size advantage over Lomachenko won’t be a factor against Lopez when he debuts at 140 pounds. Ortiz also lacks the power to change fights, which could be an issue as he looks to the explosive (and sometimes unorthodox) Lopez at times.

Should the version of Lopez return that barely knocked out Pedro Campa and Martin after the Cambosos defeat, then there is no doubt that Ortiz would become a live dog as an upset threat. But the version of Lopez that was brought against Taylor is too dynamic to pass this test without any problems, especially considering how much he actually appears to have dedicated himself to his craft. Is.

choose: Lopez via UD12