WBO super lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez has come out of ‘retirement’ to face fellow American Jamaine Ortiz on February 8. The two fighters will main event this Top Rank card at the Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The card will further be supported by a 10-round lightweight match between Keyshawn Davis and Jose Pedraza.
Teofimo Lopez (19-1, 13 KO’s) had appeared to hold a grudge of sorts against the same promotion under whose banner he will fight on February 8, but the American 140-pounder has apparently opted to put whatever dispute he had aside for the sake of defending his WBO world super lightweight title. Lopez won the WBO belt last year in June after defeating then-incumbent champion Josh Taylor (19-1, 13 KO’s) by unanimous decision.
Jamaine Ortiz (17-1-1, 8 KO’s) will be competing at super lightweight again following a decisive win over Antonio Moran (29-1, 20KO’s) last year in September. The American has fought at 140 lbs earlier in his career, often gravitating between 135 lbs and 140 lbs while remaining unbeaten. Ortiz is best known for his October 2022 fight against Vasyl Lomachenko (17-3, 11 KO’s); a match in which he lost yet distinguished himself as a worthy competitor in the lightweight division.
Having apparently decided to settle down at 140 lbs, Ortiz is now seemingly looking to make an impact upon a division he is already very familiar with. Teofimo Lopez will be his toughest opponent by far, given Lopez’ own credentials as a two-weight world champion, and Ortiz will be stepping into the ring as an underdog as a result.
Lopez, who cited his ‘retirement’ due to alleged issues with Top Rank itself, has now clearly decided to resume his career at the same promotion he had criticized in the past. Off-ring controversies aside, Lopez remains one of the biggest American stars and will be hoping off for a confident and dominant performance to kick off his first match in 2024.
Carrying the greater accolades, as opposed to Ortiz will participate in his first world title match, Lopez seems to hold every bit the chance to come out on top. Oddsmakers reflect his status as a heavy favorite, with Lopez regarded as the likely winner with very favorable odds of one to eight.
Further matches to complement the card will be announced by Top Rank in the near future.
