Teofimo Lopez successfully defended his WBO super-lightweight title in a frustrating display against Jamaine Ortiz last night, one that many fans and fighters felt he was fortunate to win. None more so than Terence Crawford, who labelled Lopez as ‘crazy’ after the 140lbs title-holder called out ‘Bud’ for a catchweight bout.
Jamaine Ortiz seemed to have done what he needed to do, regardless of the boos from the stands, boxing on the outside and tagging Lopez to steal the early rounds. Lopez’ aggravation was visible as he continued to chase the challenger around the ring, which appeared to win him some of the tighter rounds.
‘The Takeover’ won the last three rounds of the bout to take the unanimous-decision win (117-111, 115-113×2) but Crawford, who Lopez has been calling for a fight against, didn’t feel that the champion had done enough.
Talked all that shit about me and lost. Like I told him focus on who you fighting not me. @TeofimoLopez back to the drawing board you go chump.
— Terence Crawford (@terencecrawford) February 9, 2024
“Talked all that s**t about me and lost. Like I told him, focus on who you fighting, not me. @TeofimoLopez back to the drawing board you go, chump.”
After the clash, Lopez fumed at the antics of Ortiz, claiming that his opponent ran from him all fight, before maintaining and making public his desire to face the unified welterweight champion, Crawford, at a catchweight in the post-fight interview.
"How can I go after a fighter that don't want to fight?" pic.twitter.com/d7ezSawgiq
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) February 9, 2024
“How can I go after a fighter that don’t want to fight? Let’s be honest here, every time that he wanted to commit he got hit and hurt.”
“None of these guys want to fight me, I’’ll fight Crawford at a catchweight.”
Crawford was quick to respond and dismiss the call-out, ruling himself out of any such bout.
He got a gift and he know it that’s why he crying.
— Terence Crawford (@terencecrawford) February 9, 2024
catch weight what? This guy is crazy, but he knows what’s up he just trying to use my name for promotion.
— Terence Crawford (@terencecrawford) February 9, 2024
“He got a gift and he know it, that’s why he crying”.
“Catchweight what? This guy is crazy, but he knows what’s up, he just trying to use my name for promotion.”
Crawford has been linked to fights at both 154lbs and 168lbs, making the catchweight call-out unrealistic.