Teofimo Lopez vs. Arnold Barboza Jr. results, highlights: Lopez turns back the clock, retains gold against Barboza

At one point, Teofimo Lopez called it quits. Many wondered if he had found his edge. That seems like a lifetime ago, as the WBO and The Ring super lightweight champion successfully defended his titles in a masterclass performance in the middle of Times Square against Arnold Barboza Jr. 

Lopez (21-1), a true showman, turned back the clock against Arnold Barboza Jr. (32-1). Lopez used brilliant footwork, fast hands, and the entire ring to work past his latest opponent. At several points in the fight, Lopez got the attention of Mike Tyson, who was in awe of his skills.

“The Takeover” used jabs to push Barboza back, not giving him a chance to inflict any significant damage. He reached for body shots, and when it seemed like he was in trouble, Lopez landed counter uppercuts. Barboza tried to go high, but  Lopez used that to his advantage by going low to the body and landing uppercuts in the clinch. 

WATCH: Teofimo Lopez vs. Arnold Barboza Jr. replay on DAZN

How confident was Garcia through the fight?  He hung by the ropes, danced, and had his hands down at various points. He looked like the elite fighter who dethroned Vasiliy Lomachenko a few years ago.  

Per CompuBox, Lopez landed 126 of 571 punches, while Barboza landed 70 of 424. Lopez forced Barboza to only land single-digit shots. The performance trumped that of Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney. Garcia lost against Rolando Romero, while Haney looked like he had ring rust against Jose Carlos Ramirez. 

The champion has now won six straight and called out Jaron “Boots” Ennis after. Ennis is the IBF welterweight champion. Could Lopez vie for a belt in a third weight class? 

The Sporting News provided results and analysis from the Lopez vs. Barboza fight and the entire Times Square fight card. 

Teofimo Lopez vs. Arnold Barboza Jr. results, highlights 

Round twelve: Lopez did whatever he wanted against Barboza. He forced the latter to miss several times. Lopez landed several key jabs. As Barboza moved forward, Lopez landed jabs and hooks. Barboza hit a few rights, but Lopez countered with lefts. The champion won via unanimous decision. 

SN unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Lopez (118-110 Lopez)

Round eleven: Lopez somehow still had gas in the tank as he connected with a hard right. His hands were somewhat down but it didn’t affect the fight at all. Lopez started dancing. This is the Lopez that fought Vasiliy Lomachenko. Body shots from Barboza, but it wasn’t enough. 

SN unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Lopez (108-101 Lopez)

Round ten: Lopez continued to let it rip. Barboza tried to pick things up but to no avail. Lopez with a few right hands. He continued to use speed and power to tire Barboza out. By the ropes, Lopez landed a nice hook. 

SN unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Lopez (98-92 Lopez)

Round nine: Lopez landed combinations to the body. He went low as Barboza tried going high. Lopez with combinations. Up against the ropes, he landed inside body shots. His defense was impeccable. 

SN unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Lopez (88-83 Lopez) 

Round eight: Lopez’s dad was giving him sound advice between rounds. He reached for combination hooks. Barboza landed combinations. Lopez worked well with counter shots, including a body shot that pushed Barboza back. 

SN unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Lopez (78-74 Lopez)

Round seven: Lopez used his jab to avoid any damage and then landed a hard right hand. Big right hand from Lopez, who recovered quickly from the sixth round. Body shot from Barboza, but he missed several other shots. Barboza tried multiple methods to hurt Lopez, who utilized a beautiful defense. 

SN unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Lopez (68-65 Lopez)

Round six: Lopez was dancing around the ring. He avoided key shots from Barboza. Hard counter right by Barboza. He landed combinations that pushed Lopez back. Uppercut by Barboza followed by counter uppercuts. 

SN unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Barboza (58-56 Lopez)

Round five: Body shot by Lopez, while Barboza landed a hook. Counter right by Lopez and a quick body shot connected. He started showboating. Big hook by Lopez. Despite a bruise by his eye, the champion looked sharp. 

SN unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Lopez (49-46 Lopez)

Round four: Lopez continued to land for volume. He landed a few jabs. Mike Tyson was in awe of Lopez. Barboza tried to reach with the jab. Meanwhile, Lopez utilized combinations to throw Barboza off. Big jab by Barboza. A long uppercut connected but didn’t affect Lopez. 

SN unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Lopez (39-37 Lopez)

Round three: Lopez landed for volume as the fight went on. He reached for body shots. Counter hook and a massive hook from Lopez that pushed Barboza back. He landed a counter uppercut. 

SN unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Lopez (29-28 Lopez) 

Round two: Both fighters jabbed to the body. Right hand counter by Lopez. An overhand hook from Lopez connected. Sneaky left hand by Lopez connected. Barboza countered with combinations. Barboza landed a left hand. Both landed flurries at random points in the fight. 

SN unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Barboza (19-19)

Round one: Both landed jabs to start. Barboza went high and low. They tried to square one another up. Hook by Lopez. He avoided key shots from Barboza and just missed a hook. It is a true chess match. Lopez landed a body and head shot, and Barboza countered with a right. They exchanged shots until the end of the round. 

SN unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Lopez

Teofimo Lopez vs. Arnold Barboza Jr. results

• Rolando Romero def. Ryan Garcia via unanimous decision for the WBA (Regular) welterweight title (115-112, 115-112, 118-109) 
• Devin Haney def. Jose Carlos Ramirez via unanimous decision (119-109, 119-109, 118-110) 
• Teofimo Lopez (c) def. Arnold Barboza via unanimous decision for the WBO and The Ring super lightweight titles (116-112, 116-112, 118-110)
• Reito Tsutsumi def. Levale Whittington via unanimous decision (60-54, 60-54, 58-56)