Timid Teofimo Lopez narrowly beats Ortiz - has he been found out?
Plus, Keyshawn KOs Pedraza, Sheeraz shines & more
“The highlight of Teofimo Lopez’s night was the circus ring entrance and coming away with that decision win. Everything in between did not advance the brand at all.”
Those were the damning words of ESPN lead commentator Joe Tessitore as a teary Lopez scooped up his belts after defeating Jamaine Ortiz in Las Vegas last Thursday evening. Lopez proceeded to go on a muddled rant decrying Ortiz’s running, praising Jesus and declaring an all-human religion. Pyramids, aliens, Illuminati figures. This is boxing. Anyone can get it.
Working through multiple styles inside the ring, Lopez called upon a number of his multiple personalities to explain the performance. When he burst onto the scene, the New Yorker was a breath of fresh air. Mixing highlight reel knockouts with bravado and back flips. As time goes on, he’s struggled against middle-ground opponents.
One dimensional in his approach and unable to cut off the ring, anxiety sets in as he senses the crowd tension and the opprobrium of those watching at home, thumbs poised on phones to deliver damning indictments in 140 characters or less.
An average audience of 532,000 watched the contest. Around half the amount who stuck with Lopez as he got to grips with Josh Taylor last year in a career-reviving upset win. Struggling to pin down Ortiz and set up the big shots. Pot-shotting from unusual angles. This isn’t premium Teo, but he got the job done.
Growing increasingly frustrated at his opponent’s fleet-footed tactics, Teo turned to the crowd, encouraging them to boo Ortiz into standing and trading. Ortiz refused and stuck to his disciplined strategy of movement, counter-punching, and a bit more movement.
Bordering on running at the end, Jamaine’s tactics did not impress judge Steve Weisfeld, who totalled 117-111 in the champion’s favour. Tim Cheatham and David Sutherland each scored 115-113 to hand Teofimo a unanimous decision. Boxing mainly as a southpaw, Ortiz later argued that he had dominated proceedings.
In danger of entering top-level bridesmaid territory, Jamaine Ortiz falls to 17-2-1 (8 KOs). ‘The Technician’ will cause problems for the best but probably never defeat them. His engine tends to power down late on as well. Lopez improves to 20-1 (13 KOs). Even though he hurt Taylor, Lopez’s stature as a puncher at 140 remains open to question.
Boxing Round-Up
Keyshawn dominates Pedraza - eyes Teo fight next
Before his bout on the Lopez-Ortiz undercard, Keyshawn Davis was busy taking little digs at the main eventer. Both are with Top Rank so a clash would make sense should Keyshawn climb up five pounds to make it happen. Has Davis ‘earned’ a shot at someone of Teofimo’s stature? Some would say no. However, their respective Thursday night performances in the Michelob Ultra Arena make the fight more intriguing.
Keyshawn reckons his hard, accurate shots would bust Lopez up and he’d do the job in six. That’s how many rounds it took him to dispose of Puerto Rican veteran Jose Pedraza. Boiled down in weight, it was always going to be a tough ask for ‘Sniper’ Pedraza, who failed to find his range and was repeatedly picked off by Davis, who looked sharp.
Sheeraz shells Williams in one - Is Hamzah the new Hearns?
Hamzah Sheeraz looked red-hot in London as he obliterated Liam Williams in a single round. Given Williams' previous form at the world level, extending Demetrius Andrade and Chris Eubank Jr. the distance, smashing him in such one-sided fashion is a real career boost for Sheeraz.
Promoter Frank Warren says he’d put his man in with unified WBO and IBF middleweight king Janibek Alimkhanuly. Sheeraz has shown steady improvements since turning pro as a knockout whirlwind.
Troublesome moments against Bradley Skeete and Francisco Torres will stand to him as he moves towards world-class. Warren later compared Sheeraz to legendary puncher Tommy Hearns.
Williams, meanwhile, looked a shell of his former self. He was barely able to hold a punch as he teetered on jelly legs before trainer Gary Lockett saved him from further distress. He’s had a commendable career and hopefully made good money. Retirement is the only remaining option if Williams is to maintain good health.
Dillon’s run dented by brilliant Bellotti
Life as a British champion was short-lived for London grafter Liam Dillon who was dethroned at the first attempt by Reece Bellotti. Dillon had upset fancied mover Qais Ashfaq last July to take the vacant domestic trophy at super-featherweight.
An honest fighter, who spends his days working as a scaffolder, durable Dillon has worked his way up through the small halls to reach this level and deserves another chance in the future despite losing by margins of 117-111, 116-112 and 117-112.
Hats off to Bellotti, who arrived with five losses. The 33-year-old ‘Bomber’ could always punch but had been found wanting at a certain level. Having upset Aqib Fiaz at the end of 2023, Bellotti snatched another unbeaten record.
Media Credits: Top Rank/ESPN, Sky Sports, TNT.
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About Steve: Experienced boxing writer, author of 8 books and podcaster of over 500 eps. 20 years in the sport. Covered hundreds of shows for newspapers and Boxing News magazine. Chief video script writer for Motivedia channel and BN+. For enquiries: stevenwellings1982@gmail.com.
Teofimo's best performances were beating 2 P4P's in Loma and Taylor. His worst performances were Kambosos, Martin and Ortiz. He's obviously fucking mad and I think he just struggles to get motivated against lower level fighters. Isn't the first, won't be the last.