Teofimo Lopez wins controversial split decision over Sandor Martin

Teofimo Lopez continued his return to Madison Square Garden on Saturday with a controversial split decision victory over Sandor Martin, visibly disappointed by the ringside judges.

While one scorecard had Martin, the Spaniard, winning 95-94 in the 10-round bout, the others had Lopez winning 96-93 and 97-92. Remarkably, neither fighter landed more four punches than the other in any round on Saturday, according to CompuBox.

With the win, Lopez (18-1) remains in the title picture at 140 pounds a year after suffering his lone loss — an upset loss to George Kambosos Jr. at lightweight — and could face veterans Josh Taylor or Regis. Progress in 2023.

Teofimo Lopez celebrates his split decision win over Sandor Martin (right) in their junior welterweight bout at Madison Square Garden

Saturday’s win was far from easy, with Martin giving Lopez a brief scare in the second with a lightning knockdown.

But the Brooklyn native gained momentum mid-round as he tackled Martin’s body.

However, Lopez may have been at his best in the final moments of the tenth, landing a series of power shots before the final bell.

Martin was at a disadvantage for most of the night after appearing to break his nose inadvertently bumping heads with Lopez in the first. Although his corner managed to control the bleeding, the injury could have hampered him as the night progressed.

Teofimo Lopez slides against Sandor Martin in their junior welterweight bout at Madison Square Garden on Saturday

Rising heavyweight prospect Jared Anderson fought back earlier in the evening, wearing a Grinch suit as he entered the ring and an ear-to-ear smile as he exited after a second-round stoppage against Jerry Forrest

Jared Anderson knocks out Jerry Forrest in their heavyweight fight at Madison Square Garden

Rising heavyweight prospect Jared Anderson fought back earlier in the evening, wearing a Grinch suit as he entered the ring and an ear-to-ear smile as he exited after a second-round stoppage against Jerry Forrest.

The 23-year-old Anderson (13-0, 13 KOs) showed promise in the first round, landing 39 powerhouses — the most by a heavyweight in 2022, according to CompuBox. In total, he landed 54 punches in the first, prompting doctors to check Forrest for a concussion after the bell.

But despite the easy win, Anderson was far from perfect and even took a few hard knocks from Forrest. The Toledo native would later claim that the beatings he absorbed only served to wake him up.

“Like my corner says, once I get hit it’s a whole different ball game, I change everything, my mindset,” Anderson told ESPN after his fight. “Once he hit me, something flipped.”

The 23-year-old Anderson (13-0, 13 KOs) showed promise in the first round, landing 39 powerhouses — the most by a heavyweight in 2022, according to CompuBox. In total, he landed 54 punches in the first, prompting doctors to check Forrest for a concussion