Teofimo Lopez, Ring magazine and WBO junior welterweight champion, is gearing up to defend his prestigious Ring Championship and WBO belt against the formidable Jamaine Ortiz on Thursday, Feb 8th. The electrifying showdown will unfold at the Michelob Ultra Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, marking the start of the Big Game Weekend.
In this must-watch televised doubleheader, Lopez-Ortiz will headline the event, while the 10-round lightweight co-feature will showcase U.S. Olympic silver medalist Keyshawn Davis against Puerto Rican former two-division world champion Jose “Sniper” Pedraza.
The highly anticipated matchups will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+ at 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT. Top Rank, in association with Takeover Promotions and CES Boxing, proudly promotes this event.
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. Let’s show the world once again what real boxing looks like.
Teofimo Lopez
Lopez (19-1, 13 KOs) has a stellar track record, capturing the IBF lightweight world title in 2019 and later claiming the WBA, WBO and WBC Franchise belts by defeating Vasiliy Lomachenko. Although he faced a setback against George Kambosos Jr., Lopez rebounded with an impressive victory over Josh Taylor to secure the WBO and Ring Magazine titles.
His opponent, Jamaine Ortiz (17-1-1, 8 KOs), holds the NABF lightweight title and aims to make a significant statement in his first world title bout. Ortiz is determined to emerge victorious, stating, “This is the most important fight of my career. It’s my first world title bout. I believe this fight will bring out the very best in me.”
In the co-feature, Keyshawn Davis (9-0, 6 KOs) faces off against Jose Pedraza (29-5-1, 14 KOs), aiming to solidify his contender status. Davis, a U.S. Olympic silver medalist, is ready for this crucial step up, asserting, “I will show out for the fans in Las Vegas and everyone watching on ESPN.”
Jose Pedraza, a seasoned two-division world champion, believes Davis will face a significant challenge, stating, “Keyshawn Davis is going to experience what it’s like to face a two-division world champion.”
The undercard features promising talents, including lightweight phenom Emiliano Fernando Vargas, lightweight prodigy Abdullah Mason, unbeaten middleweight Javier “Milwaukee Made” Martinez, former Team USA amateur standout Charlie Sheehy, unbeaten lightweight prospect Alan “Kid Kansas” Garcia, and former national amateur champion Art Barrera Jr.
