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

[The Gratest]

[Ruthless-RKO]

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

Pipers...

Lol. Read it wrong.

[handsofstone]

[KiwiRider]

If Taylor performs like he did against Catterall, I'm picking Lopez for this one.
Real decent fight though, been looking forward to this for ages.

[MightyWarrior]

I think the bookies have no real idea what happens, but have Josh down as favourite as he’s only had one poor performance of late, whereas you could say Teo has had two..but I reckon that last one was probably down to a lack of motivation, something he definitely won’t lack in New York Sat night.

Josh has taken on the very best in a tough career, but Lopez is the hardest hitter he’s come up against, a real TNT puncher. You have to wonder, when a relative non puncher like Jack C drops him, have all those tough fights caught up with the Scotsman? Sometimes fighters with great chins, suddenly can’t take shots anymore.

And while a huge puncher, the Lopez chin looks vulnerable too.

The weight issue for Taylor is big a worry, the weigh in could be telling…two fights too many at 140?
But at the moment I’m thinking Josh has the edge and while I can see both hitting the canvas, Taylor should grit out another win. But the weight cut could play a huge part here .

[mickey1975]

Boxing News have gone Taylor.

[Counter-puncher]

But the weight cut could play a huge part here .

i can't see how it isn't a factor, and given how long it has been since Taylor had to make 140 i can't see it being other than more difficult for him this time round.

[mickey1975]

But the weight cut could play a huge part here .

i can't see how it isn't a factor, and given how long it has been since Taylor had to make 140 i can't see it being other than more difficult for him this time round.

He really seemed to let himself go after winning the undisputed. Maybe ha hasn't been as bad this time.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

Here’s how the experts see it:

THE RING

DOUG FISCHER: TAYLOR PTS
“Fascinating matchup. Taylor’s a big junior welterweight with good reach but he often neglects his jab and doesn’t shy away from infighting. López is an explosive counterpuncher, so the defending champ may fall into the strengths of the former lightweight champ. However, Taylor is as tough and battle-tested as elite fighters come. I think his tenacity, confidence and versatility will tell over a hotly-contested 12 rounds. Josh Taylor by decision.”

ANSON WAINWRIGHT: TAYLOR TKO 9
“This fight has a ‘Loser Leaves Town’ feel to it. Taylor flattered to deceive against Jack Catterall over a year ago and hasn’t fought since, while Lopez has had two fights since losing his undisputed lightweight title to George Kambosos. Since moving up, Lopez hasn’t looked so dominant as he did at 135, notably struggling with Sandor Martin. This fight should bring out the best in both men, which would be a real treat for us watching. I get the feeling, in terms of talent, that Taylor is a very solid 8, while Lopez can be a 9, but is also a little erratic and can be a 7. In other words, if Lopez is the best version of himself, he can win. However he has a very unsettling emotional relationship with his father, which has come to the fore several times. I think that pressure derails Teofimo and takes his focus. That is part of the reason I think Taylor is of sound body (after a few injuries) and mind and will bring his best game and, I feel, begin to take over in the second half and breakdown Lopez in around eight or nine rounds.”

LEE GROVES: TAYLOR PTS
“Predicting this fight is next to impossible, given Taylor’s long layoff and weight-making issues of the past, combined with the strong connection between Lopez’s state of mind and his performances in the ring as well as his struggle to solve tricky southpaw Sandor Martin in his most recent outing. Given their modest work rates and their displays of power, this should be a tense contest with pockets of explosiveness. While it is true that the 32-year-old Taylor is seven years older, he has fought the better opposition at this weight and he showed against Ramirez he can fight effectively on the road and under the bright lights. Assuming both men are in prime condition, physically and mentally, I believe Taylor will smartly use his physical advantages and lefty stance to limit Lopez’s effectiveness and capture a victory on points.”

DIEGO MORILLA: TAYLOR UD
“A tough proposition for both men, indeed. Not exactly a crossroads bout but it certainly feels like both men have a lot to prove, which is surprising at this stage of their careers. Teo has one loss and Taylor should have one himself, in which case both of their records should be almost identical. Teo has a chance to make that a reality but he’s erratic and out of focus, even during his best fights, and Taylor almost never is. It’s a toss-up for me but I do see Taylor being more consistent and taking advantage of Teo’s mistakes to end up with a solid unanimous decision win.”

MARTY MULCAHEY: TAYLOR UD
“I was an early adopter of Josh Taylor and have yet to pick against him…but am having doubts for this matchup with Teofimo Lopez. Not on skillset or comparative resumes but the long layoff (last in the ring, February of 2022) concerns me. I am also in the minority of people who thought Taylor beat Jack Catterall. Despite my hesitation, I believe Taylor will find his way, working behind that accurate jab and intelligent counters, unsettling Teofimo after dropping the first two or three rounds. It should play out much like the Ramirez fight, where a knockdown permanently swings momentum in Taylor’s favor. Teofimo is the type to fight up or down to the level of opposition, so I don’t expect him to go meekly but do not see him reversing momentum late. I like Taylor to win a unanimous decision by two or three rounds.”

COYOTE DURAN: TAYLOR UD
“If there’s anything to hold against Josh Taylor’s chance of defeating Teofimo Lopez on Saturday night, it’s his inactivity since his split nod versus Jack Catterall nearly 16 months ago…but that’s it. If Taylor can shake off any (if any) ring rust he has and control the proceedings, he has every tool at his disposal to beat Lopez. Since his loss to George Kambosos Jr. Lopez has fought but twice at junior welterweight and eked out a split decision win in his previous bout, versus Sandor Martin six months ago. Not exactly a signature victory against a man whose claim to fame was beating a seemingly confused Mikey Garcia. And all the trash-talk in the world won’t win a fight. It never has. Trash-talk is only window dressing for those who actually have the skills to dominate and, if his own brand of mental insecurity is any indication, Lopez isn’t that guy, at least in this fight. I’ve got Taylor in this one, nine rounds to three, 117-111.

BOXING INSIDERS

DUKE MCKENZIE (FORMER THREE-DIVISION TITLEHOLDER/TV ANALYST): TAYLOR SD
“The loser of the fight between Taylor and Lopez has no place to go. Neither boxer has their performance leading into this fight. However, I feel there is something amiss in Lopez, who seems to be questioning himself as to whether he belongs at the elite level. Taylor has the naturally bigger frame. Lopez looks busy doing nothing and, for whatever reason, switches off psychologically. I believe, at this point in their respective careers, Taylor is stronger mentally and physically and should win this fight via split decision.”

SERGIO MORA (FORMER JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLEHOLDER/ COMMENTATOR): TAYLOR UD
“Great match up. I think Josh Taylor is the best 140-pound fighter in the world until someone proves otherwise. Taylor is a smart southpaw with a mean chip on his shoulder – the type of guy who will take it to another gear, physically and mentally, if and when needed. Teofimo has similar qualities and is probably the stronger fighter physically but this fight won’t get physical unless Taylor allows it. I like Taylor by convincing decision.”

REGIS PROGRAIS (WBC JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHT TITLIST): TAYLOR UD
“I think Lopez is mentally weak. He asked after his last fight if he still has it. I think Taylor is going to capitalize on that. I think Taylor is mentally strong but I don’t know how much he has left in the tank; it seems like he’s fading. You hear a bunch of rumors about him in the UK and, as far as Lopez, Lopez does have the style to beat Taylor but I just don’t think he’s going to beat Taylor. I definitely feel like Taylor is going to win. I don’t even feel like it’s going to be close. For me, I think it’s going to lopsided for Taylor.”

TIM BRADLEY (FORMER THREE-DIVISION TITLEHOLDER/TV ANALYST): TAYLOR
“You’ve got two aggressive guys in the ring, who like to control the ring. I know Teo if definitely a gifted fighter; he has those fast twitch muscles, explosive power, but he hasn’t really shown that at junior welterweight. His gifts showed in the lightweight class but now he’s facing a guy that has been at junior welterweight his entire career, who has fought a boat load of top guys early in his career. Looking at his resume, [Viktor] Postol, [Ivan] Baranchyk, Miguel Vazquez, Ramirez, Prograis! It’s really hard to go against that type of pedigree, that type of experience, a guy that came here to the States. He’s been here before in hostile territory in Las Vegas with all of Ramirez’s fans in the area and took the title. He blows me away. Taylor is a phenomenal fighter. The inactivity is what’s bothering me in this fight. We haven’t seen him since Catterall. The injuries of Taylor are bothering me as well. But let’s say all things are good and he’s equal and fine. I just think, stylistically, Taylor. Teo has gotten away with his gifts, which is his unusual technique and strategy. He fights southpaws a little different from other people. I know ring rust could be apparent early but after four, he should be in his groove and he should be able to press the action and outwork him. Both these guys are not jabbers but Taylor pressures with more of volume; Teo pressures with technical aggression. You had a guy like Campa, a big guy at 140, who was able back up Teo, make him use his legs, pin him on the ropes. What do you think a guy that is bigger than you, taken punches from bigger punchers than you, what do you think he’s going to do? I think the aggression, work rate, pressure Taylor puts on Teo, he’s going to put him in the hot seat. Now if Teo can’t hurt Taylor, that’s going to be bad news for him. Taylor can punch, a ton of mental toughness, grit and skill on top of that and he’s a winner. Teo is inconsistent at 140 and we never know what his mental state is. I’ve always told him this: If you’re 100-percent, mentally, nobody can beat you. He’s that gifted but his last two appearances weren’t that great. I like Taylor. I think Taylor could get a stoppage.”

JOSE ZEPEDA (JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHT CONTENDER): TAYLOR PTS
“Taylor wins, in my opinion, I believe Taylor will be too big for and too strong for Lopez. I think Taylor will bully Lopez for 12 rounds.”

TOM GRAY (FORMER MANAGING EDITOR FOR THE RING): TAYLOR TKO 9
“This is a difficult fight to call. Despite me picking Taylor to win inside the distance, I rate Lopez highly. I just question his mental stability and, against a truth machine like Taylor, that is going to be vital. The record shows that when Taylor is up for a fight, we see the very best of him. It seems like a long time ago but Josh snatched the unbeaten records of Ivan Baranchyk, Regis Prograis, and Jose Ramirez en route to the undisputed championship at 140. Those results are outstanding. Ever since defeating Vasiliy Lomachenko in New York, Lopez seems to have gone back a step. Even in fights he’s won, there seems to be a lack of drive and ambition. I think he has his moments against Taylor but I think the Scot is too big and tenacious for him.”

JOLENE MIZZONE (MANAGER): TAYLOR UD
“This is a great matchup, two young guys in their prime fighting each other. What more can you ask for? For Taylor to win the fight, he is going to need to take Teo’s heart away from the start of the fight. For Teo to win the fight, he is going to need to fight and keep his focus like he did with the Loma fight. Teo has dealt with a lot of adversity; the question now is that, behind him or not, if he is not fully focused, he is going to have a hard time with Taylor. As far as Taylor, he had fought on the road so I don’t see any issues with that at all. The question is, will he be able to handle all of the shit-talking outside the ring? I am going with Josh Taylor in this one, for the simple fact that I am not sure all of Teofimo’s demons are behind him. Taylor by unanimous decision.”

JOE ROTONDA (MATCHMAKER, MAIN EVENTS): TAYLOR UD
“This is an incredible fight. Josh Taylor has been on a ridiculous run, beating Regis Prograis, Jose Ramirez, Jack Catterall, etc. Teofimo Lopez, in my opinion, just has not looked like himself since the Lomachenko fight. However the kid is young, not even in his prime yet, and I think will get back to his dominant ways, at some point. But it will have to wait until after June 10th, I think Taylor fights smart and breaks him down en route to a unanimous decision.”

BOBBY BENTON (TRAINER): TAYLOR PTS
“Good fight; I can’t wait. I lean towards Taylor but I could see Lopez box him and pull off the upset. I think Taylor is mentally tougher than Lopez and wins a decision.”

STEVE FARHOOD (TV ANALYST): TAYLOR PTS
“The X-factor for me is Taylor’s 16-month layoff. Meanwhile Lopez has had a couple of fights to get accustomed to the 140-pound division. I see a close distance fight with Taylor edging Lopez on the cards.”

ALEX STEEDMAN (COMMENTATOR): TAYLOR PTS
“Two fighters with questions surrounding them for now. Is Josh Taylor still capable of his best at 140 pounds and, quite simply, how good is Teofimo Lopez? Taylor may have one last performance in him at this weight, if lessons have been learned from his last camp. And let’s not forget he’s returning from injury too. But it’s not so long ago the Scot was unifying the division and looking among the best in the sport. Meanwhile the stunning 2020 victory for Lopez over Lomachenko is looking more of an anomaly in his career than the launchpad it should’ve been. From the outside, his corner seems more of a hindrance than a help, at times, too. Lopez is the puncher here and wouldn’t be a surprise winner but I think Taylor has more tools, better variety and the mental toughness and attitude which can prove the difference. Taylor by decision.”

RUDY HERNANDEZ (TRAINER): TAYLOR PTS
“A good fight that is more interesting than Terence Crawford-Errol Spence! We’re about to get a pick ’em fight. Both talented and in their prime. I’m leaning towards Taylor in a very close fight. I believe Taylor scores the better shots and, at the end, the judges will lean towards Taylor’s work.”

JOHN SCULLY (TRAINER): TAYLOR PTS
“Good two-way action, at times, but I think Taylor gets the best of it overall. I think Taylor outboxes and outhustles Teo over 12 rounds.”

BOB SANTOS (MANAGER/ TRAINER): TAYLOR
“I definitely favor Josh Taylor in this fight. I think he’s going to cause a lot of problems for Lopez and he’s going to set a lot of traps for Lopez with the southpaw stance. Lopez may go into survival mode and look for one big shot because I think he’s gonna take a lot of punishment. I think Taylor wins on points.”

MARC RAMSAY (TRAINER): TAYLOR UD
“Excellent fight on paper, now remains to be seen if it will be as good in the ring. Both boxers come back from complicated fights but. from my point of view. Taylor offered more stable performances in his last couples of fights. For that reason, I advantage him, even if Lopez boxes at home. Taylor by unanimous decision.”

Final Tally: Taylor 21-0

[Ruthless-RKO]

BBN asked their trusted panel of boxing experts from all over the world who they think wins and why:

Rick Ramos Ring Magazine Coach of the Year 2019/21

"Great fight for both men. You can definitely expect fireworks! Josh Taylor should win this fight … however, Lopez could win if he is mentally focused.

"The first one to make a mistake .. will lose."

John J. Raspanti Lead-writer editor www.maxboxing.com

"This is tough because we all know how talented Teofimo Lopez is. Heck, he beat Vasyl Lomachenko.

"We also know how chaotic his life is outside the ring.

"Josh Taylor is also talented. Was the Catterall fight an aberration? I think so.

"Back to that T word = talent. I believe Taylor is the better fighter. If he doesn't get caught, I see him winning the fight by decision."

Arijan Goricki Featherweight contender

"My prediction is that Taylor will get an SD (possibly a draw). I think that the judges would more like having Lopez as a winner and they will do everything to make that happen.

"I think that Taylor's pressure and work rate will be to much for Lopez."

Tim Rickson BBN Editor

"Taylor's last six opponents have a combined record of 133-0! That's so highly impressive and shows that he can allcomers. He is technically brilliant, varied, heavy-handed with almost a 70% KO ratio, and he has proven his toughness in his fight with Jack Catterall that he can take it as well as giving it out. He proved this in his barnstormer with Regis Prograis too.

"What I find fascinating with Taylor is that he can beat you in so many ways. Against Jose Carlos Ramirez, he broke his heart by beating him up close which is the way Ramirez wanted to fight. Josh gave him what he wanted and still dominated him to win.

"Lopez is a formidable fighter, aggressive and powerful. I do think that Lomachenko wasn't himself that night when Lopez defeated him, he didn't get started until the eighth round, but when you watch that last round, Lopez was incredible and landed about 50 punches on one of the greatest boxers in history, so full credit for that career-best win. He was unfortunate to clash with the best version of George Kambosos Jr and obviously get caught with that flash knockdown in the first. He rallied back but was ever so slightly edged.

"What I find fascinating is this pair's records on paper. Most had Catterall winning their February 2022 fight, so if the stars had aligned then this could have been a fight between two fighters with the exact same identical record at 18-1, 13KO. But, of course, Taylor was rather fortunate to remain unbeaten with a little help from some suspect judging.

"He looks as cool as a cucumber over in the States right now, laughing around while he's sightseeing and fulfilling media duties. I think that's one confident man who is ready to get back on top of the world and prove he's still the best 140lbs boxer on the planet. I am slightly expectant and hugely hopeful for a Josh Taylor masterclass where he shows his quality by completely outclassing Lopez to a unanimous decision win."

Aqib Tahlat BBN Writer

"This is a really good fight. Truly 50/50. A very close matchup, southpaw in josh Taylor vs the counter puncher Teofimo Lopez will make for a very fan friendly fight.

"I’m going to go Teofimo Lopez just on the pure fact of the power he carries, alongside the things josh Taylor does which will play into the hands of a counter puncher like Lopez.

"Teofimo Lopez beat Richard Commey and Lomachenko which are wins that you can’t achieve unless you’re a special fighter. I believe the best Teofimo Lopez can stop Josh Taylor on Saturday.

"Josh Taylor is the naturally bigger fighter and his undisputed run is the best in boxing but I do think he’s struggling at the weight and a fresh Teofimo Lopez can cause a lot of problems for him.

"Teofimo wins this if he’s mentally prepared for it.

"Teofimo by late stoppage or decision."

[coneye]

First of all , i'm really looking forward to this one ,,who's gonna win , don't know ,got to really think about it and when i do think about Lopez , well his best win was against a lot smaller really good guy , he then lost to Kambosas , went up in weight and has'nt set the world on fire with devastating performances . and lets be honest though good has Kambosas is he is'nt in the same class has Taylor .

Taylor well he's been my favorite British fighter for a while , UNTIL he fought Catteral , then like others i was dirty because he never rematched him , , But when all said and done i do think there were a few factors , there to that performance , one being i believe they under estimated Catteral , not only skill wise but his complete style , Taylor hasd been mixing it with the best , Catteral i think turned out to be better than they thought , then chuck in southpaw , then throw in what i think was the main problem , his instructions and his training , Davidson had him trying to box against his natural flow , big cockups that we have seen from that guy before , now Taylor seems to be more a ease with his new coach so we will see ,

My prediction , depends on Taylor if he's back to normal wins by stoppage , if he's past his use by date , and getting old quick , he loses by stoppage .

So has per normal in good fights like this i have to say , stuffed if i know thats why i'm looking forward to it .. both are machines , both capable , could be a fight on which trainer has it right on the night , if the boxers follow there instructions ,

But regards that i do believe that Taylor has the experience to change tactics and bring in plan 2 and 3 if needed provided his trainer allows it .

That ability a top boxer must have to switch mid stream if need be comes from experience and that for me gives Taylor a slight edge , although he did'nt do it with Catteral ,

[Gran Hermano]

Really looking forward to this. Props to both men for taking the fight and risking it all again. Both have been in the deep end several times in their careers. Clearly chasing greatness both of them. A win is huge for either man. Taylor was looking to step up to 147 but recently 140 pound division has become the glamour division.

I lean towards Taylor. Everything points towards him. Both are evenly matched but mentally Taylor > Lopez. Lopez’s mind has well and truly gone and I don’t believe he will be 100% focused. Taylor by unanimous decision

[Glass Joe]

cringe worthy having ring card girls on the stage with their fake smiles.

be a good fight, good to see two heel fighters against each other, should be good fight, unsure who wins. will watch live

[handsofstone]

Taylor was dreadful against Catterall but won't write him off just yet, Lopez has been bang average since the Lomachenko win and is a wee guy compared to Taylor, think Taylor will put a beating on him down the stretch but Lopez will still be dangerous, always remember the Commey KO, Taylor can't be reckless but we know what he's like, buzzing this is a great fight

[MightyWarrior]

Pretty crazy for a fight that most of the experts above are calling 50-50, pick ‘em, could go either way etc.. that it’s 25-1 in favour of Taylor.

With so many intangibles, the truth is none of them would really wanna bet big on this fight, but they’re going with the safe % bet, which is the bigger man without the mental demons and the better record, should win it. ( although sometimes those mental demons are fuel to the fire, like with his hero Mike Tyson )

I was a bit worried that Teo is actually having a mental breakdown, but he seemed slightly back on course at the final press conference, although note the panicked look on the face of the presenter when he started using the word death again, though not in such a bad context this time thank god.

The weigh in will tell us a lot I think.

Teo will look great, but let’s see how Josh looks. I guess it will be early evening UK time

[Bigdogsnose]

Pretty crazy for a fight that most of the experts above are calling 50-50, pick ‘em, could go either way etc.. that it’s 25-1 in favour of Taylor.

With so many intangibles, the truth is none of them would really wanna bet big on this fight, but they’re going with the safe % bet, which is the bigger man without the mental demons and the better record, should win it. ( although sometimes those mental demons are fuel to the fire, like with his hero Mike Tyson )

I was a bit worried that Teo is actually having a mental breakdown, but he seemed slightly back on course at the final press conference, although note the panicked look on the face of the presenter when he started using the word death again, though not in such a bad context this time thank god.

The weigh in will tell us a lot I think.

Teo will look great, but let’s see how Josh looks. I guess it will be early evening UK time

Thought Taylor looked skinny as fcuk in the final presser, whereas Lopez has filled into 140 really well. It has to be the one nagging doubt about this fight, how Taylor is making weight.

[Ruthless-RKO]

I also seen a lot of people saying JT looked good at the weight etc. But really? Does he?

[Ruthless-RKO]

[jamesmcdonnell]

Is this on dazn?

[Ruthless-RKO]

Is this on dazn?

In the UK?

Sky Sports.

As it says on the thread title.

[mickey1975]

Is this on dazn?

Sky rule the roost for the big foreign fights. Inoue-Fulton and Beterbiev-Smith coming soon.

[garethhop]

Is this on dazn?

Sky rule the roost for the big foreign fights. Inoue-Fulton and Beterbiev-Smith coming soon.

Given he is the self-appointed biggest promoter in the world, it does surprise me how few of the biggest fights that Hearn is involved with these days (outside of Canelo, who as we know basically chooses to do what he wants).

[jamesmcdonnell]

Is this on dazn?

In the UK?

Sky Sports.

As it says on the thread title.

Oh yeah!

FFS, cancelled sky sports ages ago, their prices became absolutely ludicrous - pay through the nose for a subscription, then get hammered with PPV costs on top. Boxing is a ridiculously expensive sport to watch, you need multiple subscriptions to have any hope of getting even a fraction of the big fights, and then pay per event on top. I wonder what it would cost a year to actually watch every major fight internationally, probably a couple of grand I reckon.

Of course if anybody knows of any alternative ways to watch this, I would be interested to know, for research purposes.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Is this on dazn?

Sky rule the roost for the big foreign fights. Inoue-Fulton and Beterbiev-Smith coming soon.

Given he is the self-appointed biggest promoter in the world, it does surprise me how few of the biggest fights that Hearn is involved with these days (outside of Canelo, who as we know basically chooses to do what he wants).

It's Top Rank's deal with Sky that's doing it.

Obviously with Bert-Cal, TR won the purse bid.