What now for Teofimo Lopez?
The 140-pound titleholder went from a sensational unanimous decision victory over then-champion Josh Taylor in June to a shaky unanimous nod over Jamaine Ortiz on Thursday in Las Vegas, a result some see as controversial.
Lopez (20-1, 13 KOs) won the final three rounds on all three cards to pull out the victory, 117-111, 115-113 and 115-113.
Ortiz (17-2-1, 8 KOs) employed a stick-and-move strategy, which resulted in a dull fight in which Lopez chased — and generally failed to catch — his quick, capable opponent.
Lopez was ready to put his lackluster performance behind immediately after the fight, declaring that, “Glory is next for me.”
His victory followed an impressive performance by Olympic silver medalist and 135-pound contender Keyshawn Davis, who knocked out veteran Jose Pedraza in six rounds in the co-feature on Thursday.
Davis (10-0, 7 KOs) called out Lopez, saying he was willing to move up in weight for the fight. Lopez engaged Davis at ringside but isn’t taking that potential matchup seriously.
“We’re talking about a lightweight,” Lopez said. “He hasn’t done anything. Just like Vasiliy Lomachenko told me: If you want to fight me, you’ve got to get a world title. If you want to fight the king, get a world title.”
Lopez has three fellow titleholders, Devin Haney, Rolando Romero and Subriel Matias. And none of them are available.
Haney and Ryan Garcia reportedly have agreed to meet on April 20, Romero is scheduled to defend against Isaac Cruz on March 30 and Matias reportedly is in talks with Liam Paro.
That leaves Lopez without an obvious dance partner in his division, which might be one reason he called out a 147-pound champion who also happens to be No. 1 pound-for-pound.
“None of these guys want to fight me,” Lopez said of his fellow junior welterweights. “I’ll fight Crawford at a catch weight. I’m here. I’m ready. I’ve always been ready. I’m younger, prettier and a two-time unified champion at 25.”
