BoxRec

MightyWarrior wrote: ↑11 Jun 2023, 07:03 Taylor off the pace, still got a great chin, but maybe that’s it for him at elite level…or maybe not: it could be that Lopez just has that nightmare counterpunching style that coupled with a huge punch, made it hard for Josh to execute his usual brawling winning style. Also Teo very fast and very slick, dodging all those punches heading his way.

It’s a shame that we get top rank commentary, a couple of real goofballs, the clueless Christine Ponch and jermall, just happy to be there and contributing nothing

Agree. They were useless.

I couldnt even tell what the commentators were saying.

Gutted for Taylor this was a clear loss as was Catterall. He needs to pack in at top level his race is run now.

I like the idea of a cash out fight against Connor Benn at 147.

Taylor's lost that razor sharpness that used to see him carve up his opposition, however, let's not forget he hasn't just lost to some no hoper. Lopez is extremely good, very accurate and punches hard.

Unfortunately, if you leave the McGuigans...expect your career to go downhill sooner rather than later. Frampton and Taylor can say what they want, the fact remains poorer performances and losses start occurring.

Boxercise Ben did Taylor no favours at all for the 2 or 3 fights he was with him for and the current set up shows further decline in Taylor's sharpness.

Sad really, he went on a mental run of real killers and looked elite doing so. He won the commonwealth games and achieved massive things. Against Jack he didn't seem to be at the races. Against Teo he looked off. I think he needs a hard reset of sorts. If he can't do roadwork is the game up?

Fell asleep during the undercard, was there a lad called Channing or Clancy or something? I liked his style. Woke up just in time for the ring walks, and watched it very closely.

Was a bit disappointed with Taylor. Just didn’t look the same. I just realised his commonwealth gold was nearly 10 years ago, always makes you take stock of your own age when a fighter goes off the boil after you’ve watched their whole career play out.

Fair play to Teo, he’s as mad as a box of frogs but boxed brilliant, while Taylor just wasn’t as sharp as he used to be.

Taylor’s early career matchmaking was impeccable, but maybe that’s contributed to an early fall-off. It didn’t look like a weight issue at all to me.

Haney will move up soon and take the fornicating ears off Lopez.

Some good solid analysis and funny jokes from the team in this thread, salutes

wrighty wrote: ↑11 Jun 2023, 09:32 Sad really, he went on a mental run of real killers and looked elite doing so. He won the commonwealth games and achieved massive things. Against Jack he didn't seem to be at the races. Against Teo he looked off. I think he needs a hard reset of sorts. If he can't do roadwork is the game up?

My thoughts exactly. I thought the corner lacked urgency, and that’s coming from a Scouser

Delta Jay wrote: ↑11 Jun 2023, 09:48

wrighty wrote: ↑11 Jun 2023, 09:32 Sad really, he went on a mental run of real killers and looked elite doing so. He won the commonwealth games and achieved massive things. Against Jack he didn't seem to be at the races. Against Teo he looked off. I think he needs a hard reset of sorts. If he can't do roadwork is the game up?

My thoughts exactly. I thought the corner lacked urgency, and that’s coming from a Scouser

Where does he go? I can't imagine him wanting to go after domestic titles when he's been at the top of the mountain?

That was a drubbing. Teofimo carried his power up and he was just too sharp. He looked like he can actually get even better. His lifestyle outside the ring is unstable so who knows what you're going to get on fight night but on that showing I don't think Reggie Prograis has much of a shot. It's not that good of a division at the moment. Teo is going to be a firm favourite over everyone.

As for Taylor I don't think Boxercise helped him in any way and perhaps the two hard fights he's had now are going to be difficult to come back from. He certainly won't reach these heights again. It was his decision to go along with the Boxercise and MTK crew but you do get the feeling that staying put with the McGuigans would have been the better option. On these last two showings he certainly wouldn't have got that win over Prograis. Going up to 147 is going to be tough because they are bigger guys and I'm not seeing him wining fights vs the likes of Virgil Ortiz and Boots Ennis, nevermind the Crawfords and Spences. I do think he could beat Conor Benn though.

Drop down a level and challenge for the European title that eluded him when Anthony Yigit dodged Taylor.

12 months at EBU championship level could take some of the rigour off Taylor for a while, then see if he's still got what it takes to challenge the tops boys again(at Light welterweight or Welterweight).

I don't know if Taylor is the type of guy to want low key "comeback fights" but he took a hiding here in my book and needs a couple of low key fights now to rebuild. I thought he was ready to go a few times in there. What a chin he displayed.

There is also the mental aspect. He got outmanned and was getting pummelled in there, not to mention the showboating by Teofimo to add insult to injury. Taylor was able to meet Prograis head on and come out on top and had Catterall on the run. This is the first time we've seen him outmanned in that way. I hope he can recoup and come back. Make the call to Shane and try to get back to where he was.

CompuBox Stats

Lopez is a quality fighter when he is focused, he could be the best opponent JT has faced.

No shame in getting beat by one of the elites, wish fighters would step up more

THEBUTCH wrote: ↑11 Jun 2023, 10:23 Drop down a level and challenge for the European title that eluded him when Anthony Yigit dodged Taylor.

12 months at EBU championship level could take some of the rigour off Taylor for a while, then see if he's still got what it takes to challenge the tops boys again(at Light welterweight or Welterweight).

I like this idea. I wish more fighters would do this when found wanting at world level. They’ll think it’s beneath them though and view themselves as world class forever.

ShadrachSimmo wrote: ↑11 Jun 2023, 15:55

THEBUTCH wrote: ↑11 Jun 2023, 10:23 Drop down a level and challenge for the European title that eluded him when Anthony Yigit dodged Taylor.

12 months at EBU championship level could take some of the rigour off Taylor for a while, then see if he's still got what it takes to challenge the tops boys again(at Light welterweight or Welterweight).

I like this idea. I wish more fighters would do this when found wanting at world level. They’ll think it’s beneath them though and view themselves as world class forever.

Nah, you can’t just ask someone to start making less money. I think thats the main reason you don’t see it.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑11 Jun 2023, 12:36

Uncharacteristic how pragmatic and honest he’s being there. Maybe finally learning? Always seemed like a mad pudendum but not necessarily a malicious guy. Soz for the big words. Ideally he’ll be back out a level below very soon.

Delta Jay wrote: ↑11 Jun 2023, 16:52

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑11 Jun 2023, 12:36

Uncharacteristic how pragmatic and honest he’s being there. Maybe finally learning? Always seemed like a mad pudendum but not necessarily a malicious guy. Soz for the big words. Ideally he’ll be back out a level below very soon.

He had to fight in order for us to see what he said.

Prior to this, the last thing we knew was his reaction after the Catterall fight.

Delta Jay wrote: ↑11 Jun 2023, 16:49

ShadrachSimmo wrote: ↑11 Jun 2023, 15:55

THEBUTCH wrote: ↑11 Jun 2023, 10:23 Drop down a level and challenge for the European title that eluded him when Anthony Yigit dodged Taylor.

12 months at EBU championship level could take some of the rigour off Taylor for a while, then see if he's still got what it takes to challenge the tops boys again(at Light welterweight or Welterweight).

I like this idea. I wish more fighters would do this when found wanting at world level. They’ll think it’s beneath them though and view themselves as world class forever.

Nah, you can’t just ask someone to start making less money. I think thats the main reason you don’t see it.

So, they pack it in and make no money?

Glass Joe wrote: ↑11 Jun 2023, 14:26 Lopez is a quality fighter when he is focused, he could be the best opponent JT has faced.

The p4p version we saw last night is the best he has faced, imo. The same version that defeated Lomassiah.

Don't think it was the shutout most are saying , personally i agree with the 115-113 score , Josh looked good early rnds , ok Lopez always looked the heavier puncher but for some early rnds he was getting bugger all off , If Tatlor could off pulled a mighty effort and got the 11th or 12th rnd he would'nt of lost , although i will concede that was never gonna happen ,, He got beat but was competetive in a lot of rnds , against a good boxer ,, Can't beat age probably still a couple of big fights and paydays out there , then retire

It looks like Taylor is being killed by weightcuts. He's too big for this category and should have moved up after becoming undisputed. Maybe he will even improve, if he moves up now, since the draining gotta be easier there.

I thought Taylor won the first minute of most rounds. But he couldn't sustain it and Lopez won the last minute of every round and won it clearer.

Lopez was allowed to take breaks in the rounds and work when he wanted. Taylor needed to wear him out. Taylor also never really put a dent in him. Never really had him hurt or thinking twice.

I do not believe Taylor is finished at world level or at 140. He might or might not win a world title again but he will more than likely fight for one.

These boards were full of people telling Ricky Burns he should retire after the defeat to Crawford. Burns went onto to win the WBA title. See no reason why Taylor can't do something similar.

Coco wrote: ↑11 Jun 2023, 14:46 No shame in getting beat by one of the elites, wish fighters would step up more

Exactly. Doesn’t mean he is finished after being beaten by a younger elite boxer. He lost to Catterall who may well be in that bracket too and no doubt pick up a world title himself.

Catterall next makes sense for him. Win that, regain respect and he could be in line for another title shot. He deserves it after the run he had