LAS VEGAS — Teofimo Lopez and Jamaine Ortiz have agreed to terms for a junior welterweight championship showdown at Michelob ULTRA Arena on February 8 to kick off Super Bowl week.
Lopez will defend the WBO and RING Magazine titles he won via a dominant, upset unanimous decision over Josh Taylor last June. With the recent news of Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia negotiating for a spring showdown, Lopez has promised to dominate Ortiz and put his rivals on notice.
“February 8 at Mandalay Bay, ‘The Takeover’ will entertain inside that squared circle as only I can!” vowed Lopez. “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.“
Lopez faced Ortiz once in the amateurs, scoring a points win over three arounds. Having defeated former Pound 4 Pound talents like Josh Taylor and Vasyl Lomachenko, Lopez is confident his championship experience will be the decisive edge next month.
“Jamaine is tough. I would know, because I faced him back in the amateur days in 2015 for the National Golden Gloves Championship,” Lopez reflected. “I’ll show the world that champions don’t flinch when faced with challenges. 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.”
Jamaine Oritz hit the national scene in 2022 with a decisive point win over former champion Jamel Herring and a competitive decision loss to Lomachenko. Last September, Ortiz bounced back with a 10-round unanimous decision over Antonio Moran. Against Lopez, Ortiz believes there’s a another level he can reach to capture his first title and upset of 2024.
“This is the most important fight of my career,” said Ortiz. “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!”
Prospect turned contender Keyshawn Davis faces his biggest challenge to date against former champion Jose Pedraza. Davis is coming off an active 2023 with three outings (Anthony Yigit TKO9, Francesco Patera UD10, Nahir Albright NC – positive marijuana test). For this year, Davis eyes Pedraza as a stepping stone to the championship level.
“I have all the respect in the world for Jose Pedraza and what he’s accomplished in the pro game,” Davis said. “This is type of step up I need to get to the next level, and I know Pedraza will bring his A-game. It’s his last chance to get back to title contention, but I won’t let that happen. I will show out for the fans in Las Vegas and everyone watching on ESPN.”
“Teofimo Lopez is among the best fighters in the world and always wants to fight the best available opponent. Jamaine Ortiz is a supreme talent who fits the bill,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “I believe Keyshawn Davis is a future world champion, but you can never count out a skilled two-weight world champion like Jose Pedraza. What a fantastic doubleheader for the fans watching on ESPN and at Michelob ULTRA Arena.”
The ESPN+-streamed undercard will feature undefeated prospects Emiliano Fernando Vargas, Abdullah Mason, and Javier “Milwaukee Made” Martinez.
Lopez-Ortiz and Davis-Pedraza will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT. Tickets go on sale Friday, Jan. 5 at 10 am PT through AXS.com.
Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 