In yet another chapter in the real-life reality show that is the young boxing career of Teofimo Lopez Jr., Thursday's WBO junior welterweight title defense against Jamaine Ortiz proved to be the very definition of survive and advance.
And that doesn't even come close to telling the full story.
Lopez (20-1, 13 KOs) appeared to be soundly outboxed against the fit and precise Ortiz over 12 rounds inside the Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas. But the three judges at ringside appeared to penalize Ortiz (17-2-1, 8 KOs) for his lack of offensive output while routinely circling away.
The crowd booed the lack of two-way action throughout as Lopez, who was outlanded 80 to 78 in total punches, according to CompuBox, took home a disputed unanimous decision on scores of 117-111 and 115-113 (twice). CBS Sports scored the fight 114-114.
Lopez, 26, was making the first defense of the WBO and lineal titles he commandeered from former undisputed king Josh Taylor last June in a dazzling performance that put to rest whispers that the constant chaos in Lopez's personal life had compromised his growth.
But even though Lopez was given the showcase treatment by headlining a Top Rank card during Super Bowl week, which included a circus-themed walk out with Lopez dressed as a ringmaster, his performance against Ortiz made the Taylor fight feel like an aberration.
As the Mandalay Bay crowd booed him, Lopez unleashed a bizarre postfight rant in which he accused Ortiz of running.
"Hey people! Humans! Listen up, man," Lopez said. "Yeah, yeah, yeah. Y'all could boo all you want. Suck a d---, no h---.
"We can not, for one second, claim these fighters that don't want to come and fight. You go to blood, sweat and tears; the three-code of conduct. If you ain't ready for this life, get the f--- out of my sport. I am a champion and I sweat for this and I bleed for this, every time."
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Ortiz, who was best known for pushing Vasily Lomachenko to the limit in his lone career defeat two years ago, entered with a brilliant gameplan by opening as a southpaw and staying there for the entirety of the fight. Not only did it take away Lopez's jab (he attempted just 12), Ortiz's sublime footwork put his frustrated opponent into a constant game of chase.
Without disguising his lead right hands with a jab, Lopez became predictable as Ortiz had his way with him defensively. Helped by Lopez's inability to cut off the ring, Ortiz landed a series of beautiful counter jabs to keep Lopez away yet rarely committed to more than one punch at a time.
It's a strategy that ultimately cost him as the judges rewarded Lopez's constant pursuit even as he showed his frustrations visually at being unable to trap Ortiz into exchanging.
"I stuck to the game plan," Ortiz said. "I was listening to my corner and my team. I was doing good and I thought that I was winning. I believe that I won the fight. What can I say? I came up on the short end of the stick again.
"I just felt like he couldn't hit me. I was countering and was making him miss all night. He wasn't landing any shots on me. 117-111? I don't think nobody would agree with that. Him or me, 117-111 is just ridiculous."
An accidental clash of heads caused a cut to the left eye of Ortiz, which bled steadily over the second half but never became an issue. While Ortiz's inability to push the pace in the championship rounds certainly hurt his cause, Lopez also outlanded him comfortably to the body, by a margin of 33 to 12.
Lopez's post-fight rant was interrupted when he was asked about unbeaten lightweight prospect and 2020 Olympic silver medalist Keyshawn Davis, who scored a breakthrough finish of former champion Jose Pedraza in the co-main event and boldly called for a fight against Lopez immediately after.
"Come on! We are talking about a lightweight over here!" Lopez said. "He hasn't done anything. It's just like Vasiliy Lomachenko told me, 'If you want to fight me, go get a title.' If you want to fight the king, go get the world title. I'm not going to give it to you guys. Everybody wants it easy. The only easy thing here is my skills.
"I have to fly to get these guys. That's crazy, man. I tried my best to do what I could for the people but they don't want to commit."
Lopez was soundly ridiculed by fellow boxers online, including the fighter he aggressively called out this week in undisputed welterweight champion Terence Crawford.
The fear for Lopez fans is that Thursday's frustrating performance is just another reminder as to how volatile this dynamic, young star's career has been. For every virtuoso performance, like his career-defining wins over Taylor and Lomachenko, there always seems to be a trap waiting around the corner, which might explain his disastrous 2021 implosion against George Kambosos Jr. or the pair of pedestrian decision wins immediately after that fueled so much of the doubt and concern.
"It's not a repeat because I've still got it," Lopez said. "OK, it's not a repeat! Anybody want to step in the ring, let's get it on. I am champion and I am king. And the king stays king."
CBS Sports was with you all night with live results and highlights below.
Fight card, results
- Teofimo Lopez (c) def. Jamaine Ortiz via unanimous decision (117-111, 115-113, 115-113)
- Keyshawn Davis def. Jose Pedraza via sixth-round TKO
Lopez vs. Ortiz scorecard, live coverage
| Round | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lopez | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 114 |
| Ortiz | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 114 |