‘Shutout’ – Mike Tyson left in awe as Teofimo Lopez dismantles Arnold Barboza Jr
Mike Tyson was mightily impressed by Teofimo Lopez's masterclass against Arnold Barboza Jr on Friday night.
'The Takeover' has often blown hot and cold during his turbulent career, but he put on a punch perfect performance against Barboza Jr at Times Square as he retained his WBO super lightweight title via unanimous decision.
'Iron Mike' was in the house in New York working as a guest analyst, and he was left in awe of Lopez's silky skills.
“It’s a shutout, I have never seen him look like this before, he has improved as a fighter," said Tyson on DAZN broadcast.
“Fast hands. Listen, all these guys are going to have to show off tonight, and this is how to do it.”
Both boxers got off to a quick start, with Barboza Jr looking to force the action on the front foot, while Lopez circled around the outside of the ring, exploding in and out of range with fast flurries.
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Early on, the speed disparity was apparent, with Lopez repeatedly beating his adversary to the punch.
By the quarter way mark, Lopez looked to be in full flow as he effortlessly evaded Barboza Jr’s punches before responding with sharp counters.
In round five, Lopez was tapping his heels and dancing in the centre of the ring, but Barboza Jr reminded his foe he was in a fight by landing a dynamite right hand at the back end of the sixth that buzzed Teo.
The shot left a nasty bruise below Lopez’s left eye, although he recovered almost immediately and got right back to work in the seventh stanza.
Heading into the championship rounds, Barboza Jr was well behind.
A knockout was desperately needed as they touched gloves for the 12th and final frame.
Down the home straight, Barboza Jr let his hands go, but Lopez was too slick and too fast for the 33-year-old.
In the end, all three judges scored the fight in Lopez’s favour by margins of 116-112, 116-112, and 118-110.
With that victory, Lopez retains his WBO belt and improves his record to 21-1.
Barboza Jr, meanwhile, falls to 32-1 in what was his first professional defeat.
Post-fight, Lopez called out Jaron 'Boots' Ennis as he teased a move up to welterweight.
"I feel great, man, I feel reborn. At 140, I have been at this weight for a while, but I’ll talk to my team about moving up," he told Mike Coppinger in the ring.
"You know me guys, I go for the tough challenges. Definitely, I am Dora the Explorer, and I am looking for Boots. "