Teofimo Lopez vs. Jamaine Ortiz: Preview, Where to Watch and Betting Odds

Lineal junior welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez has vowed to finish challenger Jamaine Ortiz when he makes the first defense of his WBO and Ring magazine titles this Thursday in Las Vegas. Teofimo Lopez upset Josh Taylor last June to claim the championship. Lopez, a former unified lightweight champion, is a huge favorite against fellow American and former NABF lightweight champ Jamaine Ortiz.

BOXING: WBO Junior Welterweight championship

Venue: Michelob ULTRA Arena, Las Vegas

Where to watch: ESPN+

Date: 09.02.2024. 06:30

American Teofimo Lopez made a mark in the lightweight division before his move to junior welterweight. Against the odds and while still an unbeaten fighter, he defeated Ukrainian legend Vasiliy Lomachenko in October 2020 to add the WBA (Super), WBO, and The Ring lightweight titles to the IBF lightweight title, which he won the previous December from Richard Commey. Lopez lost the titles in his next fight when huge underdog George Kambosos Jr defeated him. "The Takeover" subsequently moved up to junior welterweight and became a two-weight division champ by defeating Josh Taylor last year. Lopez is currently 3-0 in the 140-pound division.

• Age: 26
• Height: 5.8"
• Reach: 68.5"
• Weight:140 lbs (63.5 kg)
• Record: 19-1

Before all of this and before I fought Josh Taylor, I used to take a break. I used to not really train so much. I used to not always be in the gym. But after I got everything back and became a two-division world champion, I started staying in the gym. My trainer, my father, always wanted me to stay in the gym. So, I started doing that last August. Since then, I've gotten faster. I've gotten much stronger. My I.Q. is much sharper. And it's because I haven't stopped training since August last year. And I'm not going to stop. After I beat Jamaine Ortiz, I will keep staying in the gym.

Teofimo Lopez

Jamaine Ortiz was defeated for the first time as a professional in October 2022 when he lost to multiple champion Vasiliy Lomachenko in New York via a split decision. Following that setback, Ortiz, who won continental titles at 135 pounds, moved to junior welterweight, securing a winning debut last September against Antonio Moran. With one loss in nineteen fights, the 29-year-old Ortiz is gunning for championship glory.

• Age: 27
• Height: 5.8"
• Reach: 69"
• Weight:140 lbs (63.5 kg)
• Record: 17-1-1 (Draw)

The end result is that 'The Showman' is returning. There will definitely be a knockout. It's not going the distance. I'm not going to leave it in the judges' hands at all. So, everyone, tune in and get your popcorn ready.

Teofimo Lopez

Jamaine Ortiz is a 5.8 underdog on 1XBET. The sportsbook prices total under 11.5 rounds at 2.46 odds. Betwinner lists a decision for the favorite at 1.8 and Teofimo Lopez to win by KO or TKO at 2.93. Bet365 prices a Lopez win in rounds 7-9 at 6.50 and fight to go to the distance at 1.50 odds.