An interesting battle took place on the night of December 10-11 in New York at Madison Square Garden.
American Teofimo Lopez (17–1, 13 KOs) won the fight against the Spaniard Sandor Martin (40–2, 13 KOs).
Theo Lopez won the WBO light welterweight title. In addition, the fight had the status of a WBC eliminator.
Previously, Teofimo Lopez defeated Ukrainian Vasily Lomachenko for three lightweight belts, but then lost all titles to George Kambosos from Australia. Lopez made a successful return to the ring in August 2022, defeating Pedro Campa by TKO in the 7th round.
Puerto Rican José Pedraza was Lopez’s original opponent on December 10. However, Pedraza withdrew from the bout due to illness during training camp. Sandor Martin agreed to fight Theo Lopez on short notice three weeks before the show.
Theo Lopez in a fight with Martin, he had an advantage, but the fight turned out to be difficult. At the start of the 2nd round, Martin even knocked down Theo Lopez!
However, the American rose and seized the initiative. The Spaniard was let down by slowness and passivity. At the end of 10 rounds, two of the three judges gave the victory to Theo Lopez – a split decision victory.
Teofimo Lopez (USA) – Sandor Martin (Spain) – SD 10 (94–95, 96–93, 97–92)
Takeover Time ⏱@TeofimoLopez x #LopezMartin pic.twitter.com/fVCqUHXXGQ
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) December 11, 2022
Is an upset brewing? 👀@SandorMartin x #LopezMartin pic.twitter.com/J9ZDfEt333
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) December 11, 2022
.@SandorMartin with the HUGE knockdown in R2 👀 pic.twitter.com/11urkis4n1
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) December 11, 2022
Trading to end R6 💥#LopezMartin | LIVE on ESPN pic.twitter.com/8pHnZxlhpH
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) December 11, 2022
.@TeofimoLopez gets it done 💪@BudLight | #BudLightCelly pic.twitter.com/eg1st4TE88
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) December 11, 2022
Things getting heated after the fight 👀 #LopezMartin pic.twitter.com/D7SVrvqnbW
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) December 11, 2022
