By: Sean Crose
WBO junior welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez will defend his belt against Jamaine Ortiz on February 8 in Las Vegas. Rising lightweight Keyshawn Davis will also be on the ESPN broadcast card this Super Bowl weekend, taking on Jose Pedraza in a scheduled 10-rounder. “Teófimo López is among the best fighters in the world and always wants to fight the best opponent available. Jamaine Ortiz is a supreme talent who fits the bill,” says Top Rank boss Bob Arum. “I think Keyshawn Davis is a future world champion, but you can never rule out a skilled two-weight world champion like José Pedraza. What a fantastic doubleheader for fans watching on ESPN and at the Michelob ULTRA Arena.”
Lopez, who was last seen beating Josh Taylor last spring, will defend his title for the first time. “On February 8 at Mandalay Bay, ‘The Takeover’ will entertain within that circle like only I can!” says Lopez. “To boxing fans around the world, I am not only looking to dominate and knock down Jamaine Ortiz, but to do so in such a way that my division is put on alert.” Lopez, at 19-1, is clearly looking to make a comeback. in the spotlight after having just five fights since his huge victory over Vasyl Lomachenko in 2020.
“Jamaine is tough,” Lopez admits. “I would know, because I faced him in the amateur days in 2015 for the National Golden Gloves Championship. I will show the world that champions do not back down from challenges. They rise and shine brighter when the stakes are high. This one’s for all my folks at the Takeover Express! Let’s show the world once again what real boxing is like.” The 7-1-1 Ortiz, of course, is equally eager to prove himself in the scheduled 12-rounder. “This is the most important fight of my career,” he says. “It’s my first fight for a world title. I think this fight will bring out the best in me and I’m looking forward to coming home as the new champion!
Davis and Pedraza are also clearly set to impress in the February 8 co-feature. “I have all the respect in the world for José Pedraza and what he has accomplished in the professional game,” Davis says. “This is the kind of step forward that I need to get to the next level, and I know that Pedraza will bring the best of him.” Former world champion Pedraza, on the other hand, is looking to regain glory in the ring. “Keyshawn Davis,” he says, “he’s going to experience what it’s like to face a two-division world champion.”
