Teo Lopez Retains Titles with Unanimous Decision Over Barboza Jr. in Times Square
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 03 May 2025
In a hard-fought battle under the bright lights of Times Square, the iconic center in New York Friday (Saturday in Manila) Teofimo Lopez successfully defended his RING and WBO super lightweight titles with a unanimous decision victory over the previously undefeated Arnold Barboza Jr. Judges Max DeLuca and Eric Marlinski had 116-112 while David Sutherland scored 118-110 all in favor of the Brooklyn native Lopez.
Lopez (22-1, 13 KOs) showcased his ring generalship and sharper punching against the relentless pressure of Barboza Jr. (32-1, 11 KOs). While Barboza Jr. consistently pushed forward and tried to impose his will, Lopez effectively utilized his footwork, counter-punching, and superior hand speed to control the majority of the exchanges.
The fight was a tactical affair, with Lopez often landing the cleaner and more impactful shots, particularly in the middle rounds. Barboza Jr., known for his high work rate, never stopped coming forward, but struggled to consistently penetrate Lopez's defense and land with significant power.
While there were moments of excitement and close rounds, Lopez maintained a slight edge throughout the fight, effectively nullifying Barboza Jr.'s offense and landing his own combinations. The undefeated record of Barboza Jr. ultimately fell to the superior skill and experience of the champion in his home city.
Speaking after the fight, Lopez acknowledged Barboza Jr.'s toughness. "He's a hell of a fighter, tough as nails," Lopez said. "He kept coming, but I was just a step ahead tonight. I used my jab, my movement, and my IQ to control the fight."
Barboza Jr., in his first world title challenge, admitted his disappointment but vowed to learn from the experience. "I came here to win, but Lopez was the better man tonight," Barboza Jr. stated. "I'll go back to the drawing board and come back stronger."
With this victory, Teofimo Lopez retains his RING and WBO super lightweight titles, further solidifying his position in the division. The fight served as a compelling co-main event on a stacked card in Times Square, delivering a tactical battle between two highly-regarded fighters.
The Lopez-Barboza fight was the first of the three main events at Friday's Times Square extravaganza dubbed as "Fatal Fury: City of Wolves" promoted by Ring Magazine, the bible of boxing and broadcast on pay per view by DAZN. Coming up next is the Devin Haney vs Jose Carlos Ramirez scheduled for 12 rounds welterweight bout and after that the final main event between highly popular Ryan Garcia as he returns to the ring against Rolly Romero for the WBA Welterweight Title.
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