Teofimo Lopez makes a second appearance of the year at the top of a Top Rank promoted card at Madison Square Garden in New York this Saturday evening, and he has a tricky test in defending his WBO International super lightweight title against Spain’s Sandor Martin.
Sky Sports televise Lopez vs Martin live in the UK, with ESPN covering the USA broadcast.
Lopez (17-1, 13 KOs) came to prominence firstly in December 2019, knocking out Richard Commey in two to take the IBF lightweight title.
‘The Takeover’ then stunned the boxing world by outscoring Vasyl Lomachenko to unify, but swiftly lost the WBA ‘super’, IBF and WBO crowns in November last year, dropping a split decision to George Kambosos Jr.
The 25-year-old returned at super lightweight in August, stopping Pedro Campa in seven to win the WBO international belt, and seems keen on facing either WBC super lightweight champion Regis Prograis, or WBO champion, Josh Taylor.
First of all though, Sandor Martin (40-2, 13 KOs) will be a dangerous proposition to get to those matches.
The Spaniard reigned as European champion, and was selected by Mikey Garcia as a comeback opponent in October last year.
The 29-year-old wasn’t expected to trouble the four-weight world champion, but he was superb in taking a majority verdict over ten rounds to send him into retirement.
He was last out in April, taking the vacant WBA International strap with a wide points win against Jose Felix.
Prediction: Lopez will need to put himself in the frame for big fights in 2023, and I think he can come through this one unscathed with a clear points win.
Anderson faces Forres
Hot heavyweight prospect, Jared Anderson has a decent test for his first scheduled ten rounder, as he faces the experienced Jerry Forrest.
Anderson (12-0, 12 KOs) hasn’t been past six, and has knocked all of his opponents out. Forrest (26-5-2, 20 KOs) has won one in six, but is durable, and has held contenders such as Zhilei Zhang and Michael Hunter to draws in the past year or so.
Prediction: Anderson may be forced to go the distance for the first time here to take the win.
Davis battles Burgos
In eight rounders, Keyshawn Davis (6-0, 5 KOs) should come through his lightweight contest with former three-time world title challenger, Juan Carlos Burgos (35-6-3, 21 KOs), who has never been stopped.
Prediction: The pick is a Davis points win.
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Remaining Undercard
At super welterweight, Xander Zayas (14-0, 10 KOs) can halt Alexis Salazar Flores (24-4, 9 KOs) inside schedule, and at featherweight, Bruce Carrington (5-0, 3 KOs) can outscore Juan Tapia (12-4, 4 KOs).
Welterweight prospect, Delante Johnson (6-0, 4 KOs) can take a points win against Mike O’Han Jr (16-1, 9 KOs), and Jahi Tucker (9-0, 5 KOs) can do the same against Ivan Pandzic (14-2-1, 8 KOs), also at welterweight.
In six round action, Joseph Ward (7-1, 4 KOs) can come through on the cards at light heavyweight against Frederic Julan (12-1, 10 KOs), and Damian Knyba (9-0, 5 KOs) should stop Emilio Salas (7-3-1, 3 KOs) at heavyweight.
