Thursday, February 8, 10:30 p.m. ET/ 7:30 p.m. PT Live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+
Thursday the 8th of February is when the gloves come off. The festivities kick off at 10:30 p.m. Eastern Time, or for the night owls in the UK, that’s a 3:30 a.m. start on Friday.
For those on American soil, you can catch every jab, hook, and uppercut live on ESPN+.
Now, if you’re the sort who likes their fights up close and personal, get yourself over to the Michelob ULTRA Arena in the dazzling heart of Vegas.
Teofimo Lopez, the reigning champ of the junior welterweight division, is set to put his WBO and Ring Magazine belts on the line against the scrappy Jamaine Ortiz. Lopez, with a record that reads like a warrior’s tale (19-1, 13 by way of knockout), recently climbed up a weight class and has been tearing through the competition like a hot knife through butter. His latest feat? Toppling the once-undefeated Josh Taylor and nabbing those shiny belts.
Ortiz, hailing from Worcester, Massachusetts, with a record that reads like a who’s who of lightweights (17-1-1, 8 KOs), is stepping onto the world stage, riding high on a string of victories. Having laid waste to top dog Nahir Albright and dethroned former champ Jamel Herring, Ortiz went toe-to-toe with the living legend Vasiliy Lomachenko in October 2022, in a bout that had fans on the edge of their seats for 12 rounds. Fast forward almost a year, and he’s fresh off a decision win over Antonio Moran.
Catching up with Ortiz post-pummeling session at the Top Rank Gym in Las Vegas, he was all fired up:
“I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve that’ll make you blink. Come Feb 8, it’s showtime. The tougher the opponent, the sharper my game, and Teofimo Lopez is just the kind of challenge that gets my blood pumping. I’m about to lay it all out, showcasing the kind of slick moves and quick jabs that’ll have Lopez playing catch-up.”
“I reckon I’ve got the edge on Lopez in the speed and agility department. My jab’s on another level, and my ring craft? Wait and see. I’ve got a few aces that I’m itching to play.”
“World champion? You bet. I’ve skipped the warm-ups, jumped straight into the deep end. This is where legacies are forged, and I’m here to hammer mine into the annals of boxing history.”
“Feeling like a million bucks at 140 pounds, without the usual grind to make weight. Come fight night, I’ll be a whole new beast, and it’s going to be something to watch on Feb 8.”
And if that’s not enough to get your blood pumping, the undercard’s featuring a clash of titans with Keyshawn Davis, the Olympic silver medalist with dreams of gold, squaring off against Puerto Rico’s pride, Jose “Sniper” Pedraza, in a lightweight showdown that promises fireworks.
For the early birds, ESPN+ is where the action kicks off at 6:25 p.m. Eastern, showcasing a slew of hungry up-and-comers eager to make a name for themselves.
On the mics, you’ve got ESPN’s finest – Joe Tessitore, Timothy Bradley, Jr., Mark Kriegel, and Bernardo Osuna – delivering blow-by-blow commentary that’s sure to be as spicy as the fights themselves.
And because ESPN loves a good build-up, they’re serving up a trio of specials to whet your appetite: “Blood, Sweat & Tears: Lopez vs. Ortiz,” a sneak peek into the fighters’ lairs; “Teofimo Lopez: Greatest Hits,” a walk down memory lane with Lopez’s knockout reel; and “Pressure: Keyshawn Davis,” a glimpse into the life and times of the rising star.
- Tuesday, Feb 6, 3 p.m.: The Main Event Chatterbox Session. Where the air gets heavy not from punches, but from words. Catch the verbal sparring on ESPN+.
- Wednesday, Feb 7, 3 p.m.: The Weigh-In Waltz. No punches thrown here, just fighters playing the scale dance. It’s all eyes on the numbers.
- Thursday, Feb 8, starting at 6:25 p.m. and climaxing at 10:30 p.m.:
- The Undercard Parade (ESPN+):
- 6:25 p.m.: George Acosta squares off with Rene Tellez Giron. It’s more than just a warm-up; it’s a spotlight fight.
- Followed by: The ring becomes a revolving door of contenders: Javier Martinez vs. Raul Salomon, Abdullah Mason vs. Benjamin Gurment, Charlie Sheehy vs. Abdel Sauceda, Alan Garcia vs. Tomas Ornelas, Art Barrera Jr. vs. Michael Portales, and Antonio Zepeda vs. Lemir Isom-Rile. It’s a buffet of brawls!
- The Main Dish (ESPN, ESPN Deportes, ESPN+ simulcast at 10:30 p.m.):
- Co-Feature Fight: Keyshawn Davis throws down with Jose Pedraza. A fight that’s more than just an appetizer.
- The Big Show: Teofimo Lopez (C) vs. Jamaine Ortiz for the WBO Jr. Welterweight Title. The crown jewel of the evening, where leather meets legacy.
- The Undercard Parade (ESPN+):