Reigning WBO junior welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez returned to the squared circle on Friday night for a highly anticipated title unification clash against the division’s reigning interim titleholder, Arnold Barboza Jr.
Lopez walked into the Times Square affair with a 23-1 record, his lone loss coming against George Kambosos Jr. in 2021. As for Barboza Jr., the Long Beach native is a perfect 32-0 with big wins over Jose Ramirez and Jack Catterall in his last two outings.
Round 1
Both fighters come out looking to get their jabs going right away. Lopez throws a big overhand right, and Barboza fires back with a one-two. They get back to trading jabs. So far, it’s been a chess match between the two, but Barboza unleashes another nice combination of strikes in the center of the ring. Barboza is a good right hand a Lopez responds with a left underneath just before the bell.
Round 2
Barboza immediately takes the center of the ring, and they trade jabs to the body. Lopez lands a counter right hand as Barboza moves in for a body shot. A one-two from Lopez misses the mark. Lopez lands a sneaky left, and Barboza fires back with a three-punch combination that sends Lopez backing up against the ropes and circling away. Barboza lands a left hook, though there wasn’t much behind it. Lopez lands a lightning-quick jab to the body, but Barboza comes back up top as the round closes.
Round 3
Barboza continues to target Lopez’s body with the jab, but it’s Lopez who appears to be the faster fighter through the first two rounds. Barboza lands a right hand, but eats a counter shot from Lopez. The crowd breaks out into dueling chants for the two fighters as Barboza connects with a straight right hand. Lopez catches Barboza with a hook coming up, followed by a nice counter shot after Barboza attempted to return fire.
Lopez appears to have found his rhythm as we head to the fourth.
Round 4
Things get off to a fast start with both fighters swinging right out of the gate. Lopez throws a right hand, but Barboza is just out of range. Barboza attempts to fire back with a combination against the ropes, but Lopez’s head movement and footwork keep the challenger from landing. Lopez perfectly times a right hand as Barboza reaches for the jab, but is just out of range.
Lopez lands a couple of jabs. Barboza throws back, but is again out of range. Barboza lands a jab followed by an uppercut, but he wasn’t able to get all as the round comes to a close.
Round 5
Lopez targets Barboza’s body to open the round, and Barboza lands a counter left. Barboza eats a counter right from Lopez, and they nearly clash heads during an exchange. Barboza is trying to be a little more aggressive and appears to have caused some swelling near Lopez’s right eye.
Lopez lands a right hand from a distance that connects. Lopez is starting to feel himself, throwing a left hook in the middle of an impromptu dance number. As the round comes to an end, Lopez continues to dance for the crowd as Barboza heads to his corner.
Round 6
Barboza throws a handful of jabs followed by a right hook, but Lopez stays out of range and punishes Barboza’s body with a couple of jabs of his own. A heavy exchange in the middle of the ring sees Lopez land the better blows. Just before the two-minute mark, Barboza appeared to catch Lopez with a heavy counter right that had the champ backing away.
Barboza couldn’t capitalize on the moment, but with Lopez unable to respond, Barboza likely took the round 10-9 on the scorecards. Lopez is not busted open under his left eye courtesy of the counter right.
Round 7
Despite eating a big shot in the sixth, Lopez still looks as confident as ever and lands a hard right hand to kickstart the seventh round. The shot appears to have compromised Barboza’s left eye. Barboza jabs to the body and throws a combination near the ropes, prompting Lopez to circle away. Lopez doubles up on the jab before ripping to the body.
After trying to pressure Lopez, Barboza has opted to back off and try to counterstrike. Barboza is looking a little frustrated as the final seconds tick off in the round.
Round 8
Lopez comes out aggressively in the eighth, landing early and connecting with a one-two. Barboza attempts to fire back, but he can’t close the distance. Barboza throws a right hand. Lopez responds with a jab up top, followed by one to the body. Lopez lands another body shot and gets out of the way before Barboza can respond. Barboza throws a four-punch combination, but again, Lopez is just too fast and stays out of range. Lopez closes the round with a straight right hand.
Round 9
Barboza gets back on his front foot, pressing Lopez near the ropes. Lopez fires a shot to the body, circles away, and then launches a combination. Barboza continues marching forward, throwing a jab to the body. Lopez unleashes a heavy one-two followed by a heavy combination. Lopez ducks under a combination from Barboza and taunts his opponent near the ropes.
Lopez jabs to the body. Barboza comes back with a combination, but nothing lands. Lopez appears to catch Barboza with a glancing left hook just as the bell sounds.
Round 10
Lopez is in complete control going into the final three rounds and opens the 10th with a couple of heavy shots up top. Lopez throws a big right, but it doesn’t get through Barboza’s guard. Both fighters appear to be throwing bigger shots. Lopez lands a counter right hand and continues to stay just out of range of Barboza’s attack. Barboza backs Lopez to the corner and throws a combination, but Lopez quickly reverses the pressure, forcing Barboza to back up to the center with only seconds left in the round.
Round 11
With only two rounds to go, Lopez may be on the verge of pitching a shutout as he continues to ramp up the aggression. Barboza can’t seem to land anything, and Lopez is taunting him, dancing around and entertaining the crowd with more than half a round to go. Lopez pulls out the Ali shuffle, and Barboza tries to make him pay with a combination against the ropes.
Lopez circles away, and the two tie up for the first time in the fight, prompting the referee to break them up. With the scorecard undoubtedly in his favor, Lopez looks content to circle the ring and tie up whenever necessary to ride out the clock.
Round 12
Lopes throws a one-two and ducks out of the way before Barboza can return fire. Lopez’s footwork is on point as Barboza tries to walk him down with time running out. Barboza lands a right hand. Lopez retreats, but he eats a couple more solid shots from Barboza. Lopez tries to respond with a one-two with under a minute to go in the fight.
Lopez throws one final combination before ripping to Barboza’s body and bringing the fight to an end after 12 action-packed rounds.
Official Result: Teofimo Lopez def. Arnold Barboza Jr. via unanimous decision (116-112, 116-112, 118-110) to retain the WBO junior welterweight world championship.
Check Out Highlights From Teofimo Lopez vs. Arnold Barboza Jr:
Teofimo Lopez makes his way from the taxi to the ring 🚕
Buy @FATALFURY_PR: City of the Wolves out now and watch The Ring’s Times Square card LIVE on DAZN NOW 🍿 pic.twitter.com/yaT65cTFf0
— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) May 2, 2025
Teofimo Lopez gets stunned by Arnold Barboza jr🥊😤🤯 pic.twitter.com/CYNtt2m02c
— Unbiasedbox2 (@Unbiasedbox2) May 2, 2025
Teofimo Lopez’s dad 😭pic.twitter.com/adfzNKpSWn
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) May 2, 2025
THE TAKEOVER 🎭@TeofimoLopez defends his WBO World & Ring Magazine Junior Welterweight Titles against Arnold Barboza Jr on the cards: 116-112, 116-112, 118-110#LopezBarboza | @DAZNBoxing | @RingMagazine pic.twitter.com/3w73EyzVJz
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) May 2, 2025
