Josh Taylor Confident He Can Stop Teofimo Lopez
Reigning WBO junior welterweight champion Josh “Tartan Tornado” Taylor’s (19-0, 13 KOs) next title defense will come on June 10 against ex-unified lightweight champion Teofimo “The Takeover” Lopez (18-1, 13 KOs) at MSG in New York City. The defending champion believes this upcoming battle has the potential to produce fireworks.
EXCITED TO GET BACK IN THE RING
The last time Taylor fought in the United States was in May 2021. That evening, he defeated the then-unified junior welterweight champion Jose Ramirez to become undisputed at 140 in Las Vegas, Nevada. But the matchup occurred at a nearly empty arena due to COVID-19 restrictions.
That will not be the case against Lopez. During an interview with the British source iFL TV, Taylor talked about how much he’s looking forward to returning to the United States.
“Back to the USA, for myself. I’m absolutely buzzing over there. This time, I can take my friends, my family, and my fan base as well. So, it’s going to be great. I’m looking forward to it.”
A BOLD PREDICTION
Some observers have chastised this matchup, preferring that the champion have a rematch with his heated rival, Jack Catterall. But as far as Taylor is concerned, the showdown with Lopez is a big fight, no matter what the critics say.
Lopez has called for a fight with Taylor previously, and the two have had their share of back-and-forth trash talk on social media in interviews. They get to settle their differences in the ring. As far as the champion sees it, he’s looking to make a statement, feeling he can be the first fighter to stop Lopez.
“This has the makings of being a real barnstormer of a fight, in terms of stylistically and the way he fights and the way I fight . . . I think it could go early at some point, as well. I really can see me getting him out of there early . . . I won’t be looking for it, but I can see me putting him on his backside.”
After over a year out of the ring, Tartan Tornado said he has the fire back in the belly. Believing he’s the best in the division, Taylor is ready to state his case with an emphatic win over Lopez.
