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Mike Coppinger
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Paul Gutierrez
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Paul Gutierrez
ESPN Staff Writer
- Paul Gutierrez joined NFL Nation in 2013 and serves as its Las Vegas Raiders reporter. He has a multi-platform role – writing on ESPN.com, television appearances on NFL Live and SportsCenter, and podcast and radio appearances. Before coming to ESPN, Gutierrez spent three years at CSN Bay Area as a multi-platform reporter, covering the Raiders and Oakland Athletics as well as anchoring the SportsNet Central cable news show. Gutierrez votes for the Baseball Hall of Fame and is also a member of the Professional Football Writers of America and currently serves as the PFWA’s Las Vegas chapter president. He is also a member of the California Chicano News Media Association and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. Gutierrez has authored three books: Tommy Davis’ Tales from the Dodgers Dugout, 100 Things Raiders Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die and If These Walls Could Talk: Stories from the Raiders Sideline, Locker Room and Press Box with Lincoln Kennedy. You can follow Paul on Twitter @PGutierrezESPN
Teofimo Lopez returns to the ring to defend his WBO junior welterweight title against Jamaine Ortiz in the main event of a Top Rank on ESPN card at Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday (ESPN/ESPN+, 10:30 p.m. ET, with prelims starting at 6:25 p.m. ET.)
Lopez (19-1, 13 KOs) defeated Josh Taylor by unanimous decision in an impressive performance back in June, but days later, Lopez said he was retiring. The former undisputed lightweight champion is now back to defend his title in a new division.
“It’s great to be back,” Lopez said during a news conference Tuesday. “I’m glad to see the talents coming through. But this is only the beginning for me. I’m 26 years young. I’m not even in my prime yet.
“We have a tremendous dance partner. He’s wanted this fight for awhile. And we’ll do our thing. … I know what it takes to be great, which means to respect the ring and respect what it means to be a champion.”
Ortiz (17-1-1, 8 KOs), gave Vasiliy Lomachenko a tough fight but came up short in a unanimous decision loss in October 2022. He followed that up with a unanimous decision victory over Antonio Moran back in September to set up this title shot.
“There hasn’t been respect,” Ortiz said of the fight against Lopez. “It’s a fight. I’m coming here to take his head off. It is what it is.
“There is a calm before the storm. You’ve got to know to keep control of your mind and body, especially before you go into battle.”
Stay here for live results and analysis from Mike Coppinger and Paul Gutierrez, including undercard results and round-by-round analysis.