Jamaine Ortiz asserts that on Thursday night, February 8th, he will assert his dominance over Teofimo Lopez, whom he refers to as a “clown,” by snatching the WBO light welterweight title from him at the Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas.
(Courtesy: Mikey Williams/Top Rank)
Peculiar Behavior from Lopez
Teofimo (19-1, 13 KOs), known for his eccentricity, outdid himself today by burying his head in a book and appearing to read on stage during the final press conference leading up to his headline fight against Ortiz (17-1-1, 8 KOs) on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+.
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum must have been slightly annoyed as Teofimo wasted precious promotional time on stage, choosing to read a book by Bruce Lee instead of generating interest in his main event bout.
Teofimo seemed disengaged from today’s proceedings, physically present but mentally absent.
Ortiz Takes Aim
“There has been a lack of respect. This is a fight. I am here to knock his head off. That’s just how it is,” declared Jamaine Ortiz during the final press conference today, discussing his strategy to defeat WBO light welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez on Thursday night.
If Teofimo is not mentally prepared, he will lose to Jamaine because he is not the type of opponent that can be defeated during one of his off performances, as demonstrated in his fights against Sandor Martin and George Kambosos Jr. Teo will need to be at his absolute best to secure a victory, which is typically not the case after a strong showing.
Building a Legacy
“There is a sense of calm before the storm. It is crucial to maintain control over your mind and body, especially before entering battle,” expressed Jamaine Ortiz.
“I believe I will be the one pulling the strings, making the clown do as I please. It will be that kind of spectacle.”
This fight holds immense significance in Jamaine’s career, as a loss to Teofimo may deny him another opportunity to compete for a world title. However, if Ortiz emerges victorious, he can secure life-changing earnings by facing the likes of Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia, or even engage in a rematch against Teofimo.
“When I emerge triumphant on Thursday night, it will be a momentous occasion. I will remember it for the rest of my life. It will mark the day I became a world champion and serve as another step towards achieving my goal of engaging in thrilling fights and building my legacy.”