Teofimo Lopez gave Arnold Barboza a boxing lesson.
On Friday night, Lopez put his WBO and Ring light welterweight titles on the line against Barboza in the first of the three-fight main card Ryan Garcia vs. Rolly Romero fight card dubbed “Fatal Fury: City of Wolves.” And in the center of Times Square, “The Takeover” put on a showcase performance, dominating Barboza over 12 rounds to retain his title with scores of 116-112, 116-112, and 118-110.
The fight was a relatively staid affair as Lopez used his superior footwork, movement, and defense to stifle any meaningful offense from Barboza through. The challenger did offer one good punch that stunned Lopez in the middle rounds but was unable to follow it up, and Lopez pulled away down the stretch, at times showboating and swaggering around the ring.
After his win, Lopez was asked about possibly moving up to face IBF, WBA, and Ring Magazine welterweight champion Jaron “Boots” Ennis, a fight Lopez has spoken openly about wanting, and “The Takeover” confirmed that’s still a target for him next.
“You know me guys, I go after the tough challenges,” Lopez said. “… Definitely I want to see Boots. I’m Dora the Explorer and I’m looking for Boots!”
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