Teofimo Lopez escapes with decision, title against Jamaine Ortiz

Keyshawn Davis superb stopping Pedraza; Abdullah Mason shines

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Teofimo Lopez, dressed like a ringmaster, including an unmistakable top hat, made his ring entrance to circus music with jugglers, clowns and even a sword swallower as part of the elaborate show.

He had sold himself throughout the promotion for his first defense of the lineal/WBO junior welterweight title as boxing’s ultimate showman.

But by the time the extremely lackluster fight against Jamaine Ortiz was over, the crowd was booing, Lopez was in tears, and many thought he had lost the fight despite getting a unanimous decision in the main event of the Top Rank Boxing on ESPN card Thursday night at Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, which is the center of the sports world this week with Sunday’s Super Bowl LVIII between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers taking place at Allegiant Stadium.

Former unified and lineal lightweight champion Lopez, who looked so sharp as the underdog when he handily outpointed and took the junior welterweight crown from then-unbeaten champion Josh Taylor in June, was anything but against Ortiz, who frustrated him throughout the fight with his constant movement.

In the end, the judges gave it to the more aggressive, but not very effective Lopez, 115-113, 115-113 and a surprisingly wide 117-111. Fight Freaks Unite scored the fight 116-112 for Ortiz, who forced Lopez to fight his style of fight and at his pace for all 12 rounds.

Many in the crowd of 6,206 booed the lack of action and again when the decision was read. Lopez, who seemed surprised to get the decision, burst into tears before and then turned to WBO president Paco Valcarcel for a hug.

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