Teofimo Lopez vs Sandor Martin: Live results, video highlights, play-by-play analysis

Teofimo Lopez continues his recovery trail — and a step up to a new division — as he faces the crafty Spaniard Sandor Martin.

Lopez (17-1-0, 13-KOs) was flying high after his shock win over the great Vasyl Lomachenko, then came down to earth with a difficult loss to George Kambosos. He responded to that in part by stepping up to 140lbs, where he is now seeking to establish himself as a top contender. Sandor Martin, 40-2-0, 30 KOs, took his time in breaking out of the European scene, but he’s seeking to follow up on an upset win over Mikey Garcia with another shock here. Lopez will be expected to win, but it is by no means a foregone conclusion.

This page will provide live round-by-round coverage of the main event. The fight will be available on ESPN and ESPN+, with prelims starting at 7p.m. ET on ESPN+ only and the main card on both channels at around 9 p.m. ET (following the Heisenman Trophy presentation ceremony on ESPN). Main event ringwalks expected around 11 p.m but stay tuned here for the latest on that.

Alright, right on schedule, the main event is due next

Teofimo Lopez vs Sandor Martin

Round by Round

Round 1: Open stance matchup here (with Martin the southpaw), so a game of closing that distance at the right moments. Lopez has taken center ring early. He’s looking sharp and calm – a genuine concern with him- but he does start to swing and miss some big shots as the round goes on. Clash of heads with about a minute to go, but no big disturbance. Both fighters trying to throw the power hand- Lopez coming in with it, Martin trying to draw Lopez on. Tight round, Martin lands a lead right hook as it ends. Maybe 10-9 Martin

Round 2: Check right hook from Martin, and Lopez down! It’s a flash KD but it scores. That punch is one of his favourites. Lopez cannot get frustrated. But he is. Has to jab his way in. Isn’t really. Martin’s nose is busted, looks broken, probably from that clash of heads earlier. Lopez continues to push, having a bit of success. Now jabbing to the body, but then chases a shot and overbalances a bit again. Ends the round jumping in again. 10-8 Martin, 20-17

Round 3: Lopez is doing an odd thing where he jabs part of the way in then abandons it and reaches the rest of the way. Does land a good left to the body. Martin jabbing well to the body himself and following up with a left to the body. Martin now more confident to step forward, lands a right down the middle. This time Lopez anticipates the attempted check right hook and catches Martin with a left. Next two land though. Now he catches him and briefly lands a combination along the ropes! Martin takes it and back to center though. Lopez having a bit more success closing space as the round goes on, but still 10-9 Martin, 30-26

Round 4: Lopez opens once again jabbing Martin to the ropes but then leaping in from too far. Then he manages to time him a couple times in a row as Martin tries to step around. Lopez really needs to feed off that. Better from him, landing a stiff jab to the body often in this round. Right hook to Lopez’s body by Martin. Lopez having a much better round, the check hoom by Martin lands as the bell rings but 10-9 Lopez, 39-36 Martin

Round 5: Lopez has handspeed, but his power doesn’t look to have carried as much as he wants to 140 so far. He’s landed the odd hard shot with no huge effect. No sense in loading up, he needs to use that speed. He is anticipating Martin’s movements better now. When he doesn’t rush that final move and lets Martin step to him, he’s timing him. Now he’s back to pshing in and Martin lands a left to the chin. They exchange big right hooks, Martin escapes. Lopez consistently targeting the right to the body, which is the right move because Martin bounces to the ropes. Close round, 10-9 Teo, 48-46 Martin

Round 6: Lopez Sr’s motivational speech to his son between rounds may have had the wrong effect, because he launche sout with a flurry and gets caught. Teo’s fallen out of the groove he was in. Still launching that right to the body, but no work to cut the ring before he does. When he does it in open space, he’s getting caught by that check right hook every time. Nice counter right wobbles Martin, though. Martin leaps in, gets hit by a right as he falls in, then falls in and Martin hits behind the head as he spins. Warning for that. That’s irritated Lopez, he finally finds a way to close distance and lands a flurry on the ropes as the bell rings. Still, 10-9 Martin, 58-55

Round 7: Teo comes out still rushing in a bit. Catches Martin with a hard shot, but then takes that right hook again and is fortunate that it’s called a slip and not a KD. He’s getting frustrated again. Eats an uppercut. Martin’s not throwing volume, but he’s got accuracy and more pop than may have been expected. Lopez really struggling to close the ring in this round, 10-9 Martin, 68- 64

Round 8: A Very close round, as Martin plays it extra cagey. Lopez just following him, but landing the odd shot to the body. Martin is still landing those checks to the head, but 10-9 Lopez, just about. 77-74 Martin

Round 9: Just a note I should have made earlier: this is 10 rounds, not 12, so we’re in the endgame here. Lopez still follwoing, still landing jabs and the odd right to the body, but getting very irritated. Martin mostly jabbing now. But here comes a check hook and they tangle. And another as they circle in center ring. The pattern of the fight is set now: Lopez follows, fails to cut the ring, occasionally lands to the body but almost nothing upstairs. 10-9 Martin, 87-83

Round 10: Teo Lopez sr begging his son to switch on before the final round. Not a good look, give him some advice man. Lopez looks lost and confused, all he’s got is jab-jab- step in. Martin’s not landing lots, this fight could be closer than I have it, but he’s doing what he planned and not taking many. Nice jab snaps Teo’s head back. Now a right hand lands on that broken nose by Lopez, but Martin immediately tangles up. Lopez has not responded with the urgency his father demanded. Now the urgency comes and he lands a combination on the ropes. Martin spins him, pushes him through the ropes then lands as he hangs there, so a warning for him. Teofimo finally showing that urgency, and he wins the round, but it’s probably too late. 10-9 Lopez, 96-93 Martin.

Official scores: 95-94 Martin, 96-93 Lopez, 97-92 Lopez.

A Lopez win isn’t wild, but those scores are a disgrace.

Results:

Main Event:

Super-lightweight: Teofimo Lopez SD10 Sandor Martin 96-93, 97-92, 94-95

Heavyweight: Jared Anderson TKO2 Jerry Forrest

Super welterweight: Xander Zayas UD Alexis Salazar 80-72, 79-73, 79-73

Lightweight: Keyshawn Davis UD8 Juan Carlos Burgos 80-72, 80-72, 80-72

Prelims:

Light heavyweight: Joseph Ward UD8 Frederic Julan 78-74, 79-73, 79-73

Junior welterweight: Delante Johnson TKO5 Mike Ohan Jr.

Heavyweight: Damian Knyba TKO2 Emilio Salas