Teofimo Lopez vs. Jamaine Ortiz: Anything You Can Do He Can Do Better
By Chris Carlson
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 08 Feb 2024
This Thursday night during the week of the Super Bowl in Las Vegas, Teofimo Lopez defends his world title versus Jamaine Ortiz. Lopez was last seen in the ring in the month of June in 2023 when he defeated the lineal champ at junior welterweight Josh Taylor. Can Lopez produce back to back consistent efforts vs. a game fighter? Can Ortiz spoil the summer plans of Teofimo Lopez and take over the lineal crown? This fight card will be broadcasted live on ESPN and streaming on ESPN+.
Teofimo Lopez checks almost every box to become a legit star in the sport of boxing. He’s got a blend of legit boxing skills and flashy one-punch highlight reel knockouts. He has great timing and ring IQ however his one point of criticism inside the ring has been inconsistency. His outside of the ring comments and issues result in taking his eye off the ball. Combined with his inflated worth as a true moneymaker, seemed to cause distraction at times. That said we’ve also seen his team appearing to be a complete mess only to perform at an elite level when the lights shine the brightest.
Lopez’s opponent Jamaine Ortiz made a splash on the scene back in 2022. Jamaine had 3 fights that year one of his victories came against former champion Jamel Herring. Even in a loss Ortiz opened plenty of eyeballs with a sturdy outing versus Vasyl Lomchenko. Ortiz is moving up from the lightweight division but it won’t be his first bout above 135. It should be noted those fights above the 135-pound division didn’t come against top level opposition.
Staying with Ortiz, he did have great start in his bout with Lomachenko. At times he brought the pressure while landing quick and clean punches in combination. There were spots he got caught admiring his shots and it didn’t take all that long for Loma to adjust to his pressure. Once Loma began to cut the ring off on Jamaine, Ortiz was getting caught with flush punches and trapped on the ropes or in corners. Although not exactly the same, Ortiz and Lopez do fight in a similar manner.
Both guys are gifted athletically and can be explosive punchers. Both boxers are risk takers which presents opportunities to be countered. In this boxing podcaster's mind, Teofimo is the more calculated risk taker. One can point to the good and bad habits of each fighter’s footwork, which affects them offensively and defensively. Neither combatant is all that great at fundamental defense. That said Teofimo’s reflexes and upper body movement is a step above Jamaine’s. The nuances whether at range or in the trenches is the key factor to determine a winner.
Teofimo has the better timing and counter punch abilities. Up close Lopez is a bit craftier able to clear space with his shoulder/elbow to land a short accurate punch. This boxing junkie believes will see Jamaine pressing the action in the early goings once were past the feel out stage. Eventually it will be Teofimo controlling the pace with a blend of aggression and pivoting on the outside. The fighter who establishes their jab will go a long way to winning rounds, especially in the first half of this fight. In the end it will be a case of anything Jamaine Ortiz can do Teofimo Lopez can do better.
My Official Prediction is Teofimo Lopez by Unanimous Decision.
PODCAST LINKS: http://tobtr.com/12312482 or https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-rope-a-dope-radio-podcast/id514483886
Side Note: The co-main is a good test for Keyshawn Davis facing a solid vet in Jose Pedraza. Also, keep an eye on one of the most talented prospects in the sport Abdullah Mason.
Written by Chris Carlson Host/Producer of The Rope A Dope Radio Podcast Available at www.blogtalkradio.com/ropeadoperadio Follow on Twitter @RopeADopeRadio
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Chris Carlson.
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