Is It Better to Be Hated Than Loved? Teofimo Lopez Answers Amid Jamaine Ortiz Fight Backlash

Teofimo Lopez successfully defended his WBO and Ring Magazine super lightweight titles at the Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas, securing a unanimous decision victory against Jamaine Ortiz. Ortiz’s southpaw strategy mirrored Sandor Martin‘s from 2022. In the early rounds, Lopez struggled against Ortiz’s elusive style, but he adjusted in the fourth with a sharp right hand. So did Ortiz change his fighting style later on in the fight?

The answer is a resounding no. Even though Ortiz did suffer a cut over his eyes, the fight still lacked excitement. Lopez dominated the championship rounds, hinting at judges penalizing Ortiz for evading contact. Frustration with Ortiz’s elusive tactics drew disapproval from the audience, reflected in the lackluster social media response to the fight’s scorecard. However, after the fight, Lopez found himself being criticized by the boxing world. Here’s what the champion has to say to the haters.

Teofimo Lopez is unapologetic

Even though Teofimo Lopez won the fight via unanimous decision, with the score: 117-111, 115-113, 115-113, all he got was criticism from the fans. Boxing experts such as Terence Crawford, Shakur Stevenson, Gervonta Davis, and Teddy Atlas, took the chance to criticize Lopez. Many called it a “robbery” and declared that Ortiz should have been the winner of the bout.

He wrote, “It’s better to be hated than loved in Boxing because you know you are doing something right! It’s the evolution of greatness that comes with it.” This message from Lopez shows his frustration with the situation. He appears unapologetic as he addresses the backlash he has received from the fans. In the meantime, boxing coach Teddy Atlas has changed his opinion towards Lopez after the bout.

Teddy Atlas calls for a national commission

Teddy Atlas, initially a supporter of Teofimo Lopez, underwent a shift in perspective after the recent bout’s controversial outcome. Despite moments of brilliance from both contenders, the judges favored Lopez with a unanimous decision, leaving the boxing world, including Atlas, dissatisfied.

Before the fight, Atlas had endorsed Lopez, emphasizing the significance of Lopez’s dedication. However, the aftermath saw a social media uproar, with a video of Atlas’ pre-fight prediction gaining traction. The Twitter post questioned whether Ortiz was unjustly deprived of victory.

In response, Atlas expressed his frustration, stating, “Not saying either guy lit up the night, and I thought Ortiz won, but 117-111 Lopez? This sport may have been cleaner when the mob ran it. Sorry, frustrated and tired.“ He called for a National Commission and urged followers to sign a petition against corruption in boxing.

Read More: “Sharp Asf Lol”: Shakur Stevenson and Ryan Garcia Lauds Boxing’s Biggest Prospect’s Spectacular Knockout Win on Teofimo Lopez vs Jamaine Ortiz Fight Card

Interestingly, Atlas’ stance aligns with broader criticism of Lopez’s victory, highlighting a call for reform within the boxing community. What do you think about the situation? Do share your thoughts in the comments below.

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