Josh Taylor vs. Teofimo Lopez | Sky Sports - 10 June 2023

[MightyWarrior]

Oh yes, you’re right, I should’ve googled it, dont know much about him, trainer of Liam smith

[Ruthless-RKO]

Press Release | Xander Zayas vs. Ronald Cruz To Have 'Miguel Cotto Award' at Stake

Junior middleweight phenom Xander Zayas (15-0, 10 KOs) will have an extra source of motivation for his upcoming fight.

The 20-year-old standout will fight Ronald “Diablo” Cruz (18-2-1, 12 KOs) on Saturday, June 10 for the second annual Miguel Cotto Award, which is presented by Top Rank and Madison Square Garden Entertainment.

The Miguel Cotto Award celebrates the remarkable career of the legendary four-division world champion and upholds the tradition of hosting a major fight card during Puerto Rican Day Parade weekend. Cotto, who achieved notable wins against Muhammad Abdullaev, Paulie Malignaggi, Zab Judah, Joshua Clottey, Sergio Martinez and Daniel Geale during this festive weekend, will present the award at The Theater at Madison Square Garden following the June 10 bout.

Zayas-Cruz will be the co-feature to the junior welterweight showdown between WBO and Ring Magazine world champion Josh Taylor and former unified and lineal lightweight king Teofimo Lopez.

Taylor-Lopez and Zayas-Cruz will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

Cotto said, “For me, it’s a great honor and a great pleasure that Madison Square Garden and Top Rank have an award with my name to continue the tradition of fight cards during Puerto Rican Day Parade weekend. This award will motivate future generations to deliver their best in each fight.”

“Miguel Cotto has made an immeasurable mark on boxing at ‘The Mecca’ - Madison Square Garden,” said Joel Fisher, executive vice president, Marquee Events and Operations, Madison Square Garden Entertainment. “We’re thrilled to celebrate Cotto’s warrior legacy during the Puerto Rican Day Parade weekend with the presentation of the second annual award to the winner of the Xander Zayas v. Ronald Cruz fight on Saturday, June 10.”

Zayas said, “I’ve always said that in the world of boxing, Miguel Cotto is my favorite fighter. He is the reason I decided to become a fighter. It’s a total honor and a dream come true to have the opportunity to fight for an award that has his name. This confirms for me that we are on the right path, and it motivates me to keep working hard to continue accomplishing my dreams. I want to unite my Island and all of the Puerto Ricans in the United States in the same way that Miguel did. That is my biggest dream, and I will achieve it.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

In 2 weeks!

Taylor doesn’t want any US judges

[aiden67]

Good fight. Glad we are not having to watch Catteralls boring arse again

I think Taylor wins a close decision. Taylor will not engage in a fight here and Teo will be getting outboxed. The speed of Teo is going to be interesting. I could see him having the speed and timing to get the right hand off. Got to make Taylor a favourite.

Catterall arse may be boring, but Taylor needs to rematch him, or he has a fat asterisk against his name for life.

He surely wasn’t boring in that fight.

I found him horrific that night to be honest.

Same people lauding his jab and grab against Taylor absolutely slating Okolies performance last weekend. If McDonnell had done his job earlier Taylor would have got in a rhythm and wiped Catterall out.

Catterall needs to take the biggest money fight next while he's popular as he stinks the house out every fight and the popularity won't last.

[Ezzard]

Josh is big at 140 but despite Lopez moving up he might still be the bigger man and oddly more able to make the weight. Hope Taylor wins.

[TheLeprechaun]

Size seems a big factor in Lopez game and he is moving up to 140 so it's going to be a question mark. Taylor is big but tight at the weight.

The feeling I get with Lopez is that he appears to be a guy who fights to the level of his opposition. If that's the case we should see him at his best. When it comes to breaking down the fight, I think Lopezs sharp countering and just the way he takes the centre of the ring could cause some problems for Josh. I think Lopez will carry punch power but it's just an open question as to how the strength and size play a part but if Josh can't even get going on the inside then Lopez might be able to win from range, as long as he is the ring general. Josh will fire his jab and utilise the southpaw angles with his foot positioning and footwork to try to get into good positions but Lopez is fast and sharp and capable of just getting out of range while threatening with the counters. So Josh might find it hard to get going and then could find Lopez a problem from range if Lopez can sting him with fast shots. At the same time I could see Josh outboxing Lopez off the backfoot and frustrating him. It's a very intriguing fight. Loma gave Lopez problems when he figured out how to push him back. I don't think Josh is technically on that level of Loma though but he is a high level southpaw. So I'm going to say that Joshs best chance of winning is a backfoot performance.

After much consideration, I'm going with Teo Lopez here and I'll actually take a late round stoppage.

[Ezzard]

Great analysis. Hope you're wrong.

I worry that making 140 might be too much for Josh. Hope I'm wrong.

[MightyWarrior]

Yes interesting analysis, It’s a very hard to read fight: two P4P operators who both looked unstoppable a couple of flights ago, and similarly both were stopped in their tracks by a couple of very good but unfancied opponents. So it’s a very high-level crossroads fight of sorts.

The bookies have Josh as the favourite I see, but I’m wondering what his plan to win here is, because at lightweight Teo was certainly a ferocious hitter, and I’d be surprised if he’s not hitting very hard at this weight too.
Josh has got to be very careful of that counter, he could easily get dropped or hurt here when he charges in. A very good game plan is what he needs, and I don’t really know much about his new trainer - I don’t think he’s got much experience at high-level has he? Teo’s dad is certainly a madman, but they definitely had a great game plan against Loma…

It’s annoying this is such a low-key fight; one week away, and we’re hearing nothing of it. You’d think it didn’t exist according to the papers. No press conferences to hype the fight, and with two world-class trash talkers, they are really missing out there. I wonder if there will be a big crowd of Scots hitting NY next week

[Ruthless-RKO]

Speaking on his podcast, The Fight, Atlas believes the Lopez will come out on top against the ‘overestimated’ Taylor.

“The naturally, more talented guy, as far as pure, natural talent, that would be Teofimo. That doesn’t mean that he is going to win, that doesn’t mean that you are going to be the better guy, because that talent has to be properly developed.

Part of me wants to say Taylor, he is undefeated still, even though he might not deserve to be. But it is over here, it’s not across the pond where Taylor is from, it’s over here, I’m going to say Teofimo.

I think that Taylor is a little overestimated as a fighter, I think he is. But, you could also say the same thing about Teofimo with the way things have gone, that he is overestimated.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

[TheLeprechaun]

Lopez is going through a rough divorce apparently where he isn't able to see his son. His wife didn't look the easiest to deal with. I thought she made a show of him in public by refusing to hand the son over when he was begging her during the post fight interview in his last fight. Certainly looking like a difficult young lady in my view, to say the least, although who knows what was going on in the background. I've timestamped the clip at what I would see as the toughest moment as he was begging for the child to be handed over and receiving an extremely stern look from the ex wife, which from my experience is usually a sign for me to take cover as I'm about to receive the hairdryer treatment.



I also think Lopez was far more effective when we would see Joey Gamache playing a more central role in the training camps and in the corner. His father seems like a nutter in my book and I think Joey was a better influence. It will be interesting to see the situation on fight night. Hopefully for Lopez, Gamache is playing a big role in the camp and in the corner too.

[margaret thatcher]

she got her baby, now she gets out and collects

[TheLeprechaun]

she got her baby, now she gets out and collects

It does seem like that could be the case. Unfortunately all common sense goes out the window when a lass of that looks level is in the picture which as red blooded males we can understand only too well. Lopez did mention losing half of his money also in a recent interview.

[Ruthless-RKO]

What's this about Taylor going through a split with his mrs.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[maverick23]

What's this about Taylor going through a split with his mrs.

I hadn’t seen that about Taylor. Surprised as they only married last year. I saw Teo had split with his and he wasn’t happy that he’d have to pay her off.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Fight Week!!

[mickey1975]

People dismissing josh because of his last fight are overlooking the fact Catteral is a very good kid.

[jameswilson]

People dismissing josh because of his last fight are overlooking the fact Catteral is a very good kid.

Quality amateur.

Chorley ABC!

[mickey1975]

People dismissing josh because of his last fight are overlooking the fact Catteral is a very good kid.

Quality amateur.

Chorley ABC!

Jennings Gym, also in Chorley, had three boys in the junior and youth tri nations at the weekend. Two golds and a silver. They also have a girl who won a medal for England last week in Spain and a senior on GB trials.

[cormack]

Speaking on his podcast, The Fight, Atlas believes the Lopez will come out on top against the ‘overestimated’ Taylor.

“The naturally, more talented guy, as far as pure, natural talent, that would be Teofimo. That doesn’t mean that he is going to win, that doesn’t mean that you are going to be the better guy, because that talent has to be properly developed.

Part of me wants to say Taylor, he is undefeated still, even though he might not deserve to be. But it is over here, it’s not across the pond where Taylor is from, it’s over here, I’m going to say Teofimo.

I think that Taylor is a little overestimated as a fighter, I think he is. But, you could also say the same thing about Teofimo with the way things have gone, that he is overestimated.”

atlas is just a biased prick who always always sides with the us fighter .
miserable twisted twat

[cormack]

What's this about Taylor going through a split with his mrs.

its lopez not taylor

[si7dog7]

Just watched Josh interview on Sky this evening

Came over very well. C’mon Josh do a number on this guy.

Trash talk is something. Bile is something else.

[Ruthless-RKO]

I read from few places that Red Hot Chilli Peppers will be walking Taylor out.

[mickey1975]

I read from few places that Red Hot Chilli Peppers will be walking Taylor out.

Pipers...