Josh Taylor hit the scales at 139.8 lb, Teofimo Lopez weighed in at a solid 140 lbs. This much-anticipated face-off, set for 12 rounds, will see Taylor defend his WBO and Ring Magazine Junior Welterweight World Titles. The arbitration for the night will be in the capable hands of judges Steve Gray, Joe Pasquale, and Benoit Roussel, with the seasoned Michael Griffin set to referee.
The co-main event boasts of a compelling battle between Xander Zayas, tipping the scales at 152.8 lbs, and Ronald Cruz, a smidgen lighter at 152.4 lbs. Zayas’ NABO & NABF Junior Middleweight Titles will be on the line in this 8-round skirmish.
Earlier in the day on ESPN+, at 6:15 p.m. ET/3:15 p.m. PT, the boxing bonanza will commence with:
A highly competitive Junior Lightweight 10-round clash between Brazil’s own Robson Conceição, weighing in at 130.6 lbs, and his competitor, Nicolas Polanco, who hits the scales at an even 130 lbs.
The Junior Welterweight 8-rounder that follows will see Omar Rosario (139.2 lbs) lock horns with Jan Carlos Rivera (138.4 lbs) in what promises to be an exciting match-up.
Next up is the Heavyweight division. Damian Knyba (261.4 lbs) is set to take on Helaman Olguin (256.8 lbs) in another thrilling 8-round contest.
In the Featherweight category, Bruce Carrington (126.8 lbs) will go toe-to-toe with Luis Porozo (126.4 lbs), in a classic 8-rounder.
The Junior Lightweight division will see another 10-round showdown featuring Henry Lebron (129.2 lbs) and Carlos Ramos (129.6 lbs).
In a disappointing turn of events, the Jamaine Ortiz-Humberto Galindo fight has been called off due to Ortiz’s failure to make weight.
Jamaine Ortiz explains circumstances that led to withdrawal from Galindo bout
Jamaine Ortiz (16-1-1, 8 KOs) was looking to put the lightweight division on notice tomorrow night at Madison Square Garden’s Theater on the undercard of the highly anticipated bout between Josh Taylor and Teofimo Lopez.
Unfortunately for fight fans, “The Technician” was forced to withdraw from his lightweight bout against Humberto Galindo due to an injury suffered during training camp that impacted his ability to make weight.
“I injured my back a few weeks ago and it interrupted my training,” explained the disappointed Worcester native. “For 3 weeks, I had severe back spasms and couldn’t train properly. I tried to push my body to the limit as soon as I felt better, but I hit a wall and the last few pounds just wouldn’t come off. I work with a dietician and follow a strict systematic plan to make weight, but I couldn’t follow it properly this time because of the amount of weight I had to lose after the injury.”
The 27-year-old hopes to return to the ring as soon as possible and has a message for the fans who traveled to New York to see him perform on Saturday.
“My team is working on a date in August,” stated Ortiz, who is co-promoted by CES Boxing and Top Rank. “My sincerest apologies to my opponent, my promoters CES and Top Rank, Jimmy Burchfield and everyone who made their way to New York City to see me fight. I tried my best to make weight despite the interruption, but I couldn’t make it safely.”
Ortiz emphasized that he will remain at lightweight as he is confident that he can make the limit given a normal training camp. Stay tuned for a new date over the next few weeks.
