Looking like May 27th or June 3rd.
Who wins?
Jack must be fuming.
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Looking like May 27th or June 3rd.
Who wins?
Jack must be fuming.
Big fight, would have been bigger if Teo never lost when he was undisputed and Josh scraping past Caterall but still a very good fight.
Josh to win, too big, quick and aggressive for Lopez. Josh will be fully motivated.
Josh Taylor and Teofimo Lopez are reportedly set to face each other in a world super-lightweight title bout in the summer – much to Jack Catterall’s dismay.
This has seemingly put to bed any idea of an immediate rematch between Taylor and Catterall, who were set to meet on March 4 following the former’s controversial split decision in February 2022.
Taylor, who was dropped by Catterall in their 12-round thriller, picked up a foot injury in January which led to the eagerly-anticipated fight being postponed.
And according to ESPN, Taylor could now pit his wits against long-time rival Lopez in May or June in the UK instead of defending his WBO belt against Catterall.
Catterall isn’t happy with the news, as he reacted to it on his Instagram story with the duck emoji, suggesting Taylor backed out of the fight.
He also took to his Twitter account, where he simply posted: “Lol.”
Meanwhile, Catterall’s promoter Ben Shalom has also spoken to Sky about this potential Taylor vs Lopez clash.
“Jack’s waiting and we’re waiting. We were about to announce the fight and Josh Taylor said that he was injured and we’re still waiting on [news of] when Josh Taylor’s going to be fit.
“We have a contract for that fight. [Talk of Teofimo Lopez] is a bit confusing to us but we have a contract for the fight and we’re waiting to agree a date as soon as Josh Taylor’s fit.”
The 29-year-old then called out WBC champ Regis Prograis after tweeting, “Let’s go” to the American, who lost on points to Taylor in 2019.
Prograis instantly responded where he welcomed the prospect of a possible dust-up, as he stated: “I like it.”
Former unified lightweight champion Lopez has stepped up a division after losing his straps to George Kambosos Jr in November 2021.
The New York native and Taylor have been embroiled in a war of words of late, with Taylor labelling Lopez as a ‘clown’ on Sky Sports.
He said in November: “He is a very good, very skilled fighter, but I do believe that on my night I take him to bits.
“He’s a bit of a clown. He seems to look past his opponents all the time. It’s twice he’s made the same mistake and almost paid the price for it again.
“He thinks he’s God’s gift, and then he comes crashing back down to Earth with a bang.
“Let’s not forget, he did very well to beat [Vasyl] Lomachenko, but he beat a small, injured lightweight that really could make featherweight.”
Lopez bit back, saying to Sky: “I’d tear him up, from the body to the head, he’s not going to know which one I’m going to hurt him with.
“I actually will put him down better than what Catterall did. He won’t come back up, that’s all I can tell you.”
https://talksport.com/sport/boxing/1...teofimo-lopez/
So Taylor waits for Catterall to make a fight and then talks about Teo Lopez.
I thought he was injured???
Pathetic.
Yeh I don't quite get this one. Both have talked others up, Catterall finally and Prograis, and then just quacked and waddled away to meet each other. Teo has not impressed latley and Taylor went from injured and delay to now having a certain fight path. He may have been better moving up right off to 147. Catterall being royally screwed over.
Not as big a fight as it was a few years ago
Taylor is a more complete fighter but I just don't know how he'll look after a year out of the ring
i like the fight but both guys are ducks
official negotiations ordered by the wbo
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FpCcKP1a...g&name=900x900
Josh Taylor has been ordered to defend his WBO light-welterweight title against Teofimo Lopez next after a foot injury scuppered the Scot’s proposed rematch with Jack Catterall.
A voluntary defence against Catterall on March 4 in Glasgow was postponed after Taylor tore the plantar fascia tendon in his heel in sparring and the much-anticipated return bout may now be put on the backburner.
That is because the WBO has written to Bob Arum, the promoter of both Taylor and former unified lightweight champion Lopez, instructing the start of negotiations for a contest between the pair.
Lopez, who has won his last two fights since moving up to 140lbs after dropping his WBA, WBO and IBF titles to George Kambosos Jr in November 2021 in a shock defeat, is now Taylor’s mandatory challenger.
WBO chairman Luis Batista Salas outlined the terms of the fight in an official letter which stated: “In the wake of the recent postponement of the Josh Taylor/Jack Catterall WBO voluntary title defence, the WBO world championship committee is hereby ordering the commencement of negotiations for the mandatory title defence obligation in the jr. welterweight division between Josh Taylor and Teofimo Lopez, Jr.
“The camps herein are granted 10 days upon issuance of this notice to reach an agreement or purse bid proceedings shall be conducted pursuant to WBO regulations of world championship contests.
“The minimum bid for the jr. welterweight division is 150,000 US dollars. Any of the parties involved may request a purse bid ceremony at any time during the negotiation process.”
Taylor extended his perfect professional record to 19 wins from as many fights with a controversial points victory over fellow Briton Catterall 12 months ago to retain his WBC, WBA, WBO and IBF crowns.
While Taylor was given the nod by split decision, many observers felt Catterall had done enough to get the verdict. Taylor has since vacated his WBC, WBA and IBF titles.
Catterall now seems to have turned his attention to a fight against WBC champion Regis Prograis next, writing on Twitter earlier this week: “They can fight, see who is the biggest duck. Me and @RPrograis can get it on next.”
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/sport/boxi...37d626ee2b6fd4
Jack Catterall has condemned Josh Taylor for not going ahead with their expected rematch.
"He talked about sacrificing so much to make the fight happen. I believe the fight with Josh is big enough to happen without a world title," Catterall told Sky Sports.
"If he's that confident of beating me and then moving up to 147lbs, fight me without a title. I'd be all open for that.
"But all of a sudden he's staying at 140lbs, he's fighting Lopez for the WBO. It doesn't make any sense to me.
"If he's that confident of beating me and then moving up, let's do it with no world title."
Catterall condemned the move that would see Taylor now fight Lopez instead.
"I can't put any more energy into Josh Taylor," Catterall said.
"I've lost all confidence in him now. Numerous times he's pulled out the fight and this time was the cherry on top, pulling out the fight and then a week later announcing negotiations with another fighter at 140lbs.
"I don't like the sound of it so it's time to focus on me. I've got a family to feed and I want to go and win world titles."
Catterall stepped aside so that Taylor could have the undisputed championship fight with Jose Ramirez in 2021. But the saga between the rivals has now meant Catterall has only boxed once since November 2020.
"It's been going on and on and ultimately Josh has kept me out of the ring now coming up for another year so frustrating times," Catterall said.
"It's not good enough. I was gracious enough to step aside and let Josh challenge for undisputed and I guess he repaid that back. We had the fight. [But then] we've seen the controversy.
"He's constantly contradicting himself. He's going to 'give me the chance to put things right'. He obviously believes things weren't right as much as he says he won the fight.
"It's time to move on from Josh. I can't keep stalling my career and waiting on him."
Catterall is now targeting the WBC champion Regis Prograis and revealed negotiations to make a fight with him are under way.
"The talks are ongoing now. We've had communication with his team. I believe we're not too far off. As long as Regis is happy and accepts the fight I don't think we're a million miles away now," he said.
Catterall could go straight into that fight next. "Most definitely. I'm not interested in a tune up fight," he said.
"I want to challenge myself and test myself against the top boys in the division and Regis is one of them.
"I look after myself. I'm training, I'm sparring, I'm resting and really firing on all cylinders. So I don't see any need for a tune up fight," Catterall continued.
"I know Regis is wanting to get out and get active as am I. I was preparing for Josh, who's a southpaw, in a matter of weeks. I've been sparring southpaws for two years now, you've got another southpaw in Prograis so let's get the fight on.
"I'm confident this Prograis fight can be made and can be made imminently as long as he accepts terms. I don't see why that fight can't be made in six, eight, 10 weeks' time."
Prograis conceded a majority decision to Josh Taylor in an exciting 2019 clash at the O2 Arena in London, losing the WBA title he held.
The American subsequently rebuilt and in November knocked out Jose Zepeda to win the WBC belt and become a two-time world champion.
"There's a lot of respect for Regis," Catterall said. "We've seen Josh fight Prograis, I think Josh was lucky to get the decision in that fight.
"I want to test myself. I want to fight the best boys in the division. Regis, two-time world champion, in my opinion I think he beat Josh and he's had some great fights. I want to get stuck in. I want to take that title off him.
"We want the Prograis fight and the talks are ongoing for that now and that's where my attention is.
"My message to Regis is: nobody's ducking, I'm coming straight for you.
"For me it's about my best possible route to a world title," he added. "You've got Lopez ducking Regis Prograis, Josh ducking me. So we can let those two fight now.
"That fight between me and Prograis is a massive fight, WBC world title and it's one that I want to get my hands on.
"So this is a message to Prograis: let's get it on. I'm not ducking anyone, I'm coming directly to you."
Taylor though has not ruled out boxing Catterall again. It raises the possibility that, should they come through separate fights next, they could potentially meet in a huge title unification.
"In an ideal world I beat Regis, Josh beats Lopez and we can get that fight on. That fight's always going to be there with Josh," Catterall said. "In an ideal world that is what we would like. But I'm not over-confident.
"I do think Lopez beats him. [In his last fight] Lopez didn't look great but I'm backing Lopez to beat him."
A potential rematch with Taylor though will continue to haunt him. "That is a great fight for British boxing and a great fight for my career," Catterall said.
"We would love to revisit it and put a stamp on it and win conclusively."
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/sport/boxi...09a43af9f0896c
team teo has been assured that josh can enter the usa
Josh Taylor is set to defend his WBO light-welterweight title against Teofimo Lopez after terms were agreed for a fight in New York on 10 June.
Alhough a deal is yet to be formally signed, the 32-year-old Scot has consented to take on Lopez, the American who shot to stardom with a stunning win over Vasyl Lomachenko in 2020.
Taylor had been due to face English rival Jack Catterall in a long-awaited rematch before sustaining a foot injury that led to a postponement.
A venue has not been confirmed for the meeting with Lopez, 25, but Madison Square Garden is one of the options under consideration.
Having become the division's undisputed champion with victory over Jose Ramirez in May 2021, Taylor vacated three of the four belts to facilitate a rematch with Catterall after their first fight ended in a controversial points win for the Tartan Tornado in Glasgow last February.
Whether that rematch now takes place at some point in the future is unclear.
Lopez's unanimous points win over Lomachenko added the WBA, WBO and WBC 'franchise' lightweight titles to his IBF title, but he subsequently lost the belts in his next outing when he suffered a shock defeat to George Kambosos.
In 2022, Lopez beat Pedro Campa then overcame Sandor Martin on a split decision.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/64747158
It's finally happening, Josh Taylor and Teofimo Lopez will go head-to-head on June 10 when Taylor defends his WBO super lightweight title against the former undisputed champion at 135lbs.
However, Taylor has already accused his American rival of being mentally 'fragile' after failing to appear ringside during Shakur Stevenson's fight this past weekend to announce the contest.
"I've come over here to say hello to him and he's went away hiding," Taylor told Sky Sports.
"I flew over halfway across the world to come say hello to him and pull him up really. See what are you going to say, what time is it? But he's not here. He's not showed up. He's got no backside.
"So you can see he's a little bit fragile and a little bit mentally weak. So I can definitely use that to my advantage."
This will be Taylor's first fight since he controversially overcame Jack Catterall last year, and since then he has been forced to vacate all but one of his world super lightweight titles due to circumstances surrounding a Catterall rematch and mandatory challengers.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/sport/boxi...9cefb6b&ei=126
The ideal fight poster might read "Battle of mind & body"". I cannot get away from thinking Taylor will patch together one last prime show.
Taylor problem making weight are a problem. I think Lopez beats him
https://www.ringtv.com/651992-xander...ez-co-feature/
Main Event: Josh Taylor (19-0-0, 13 KO) vs Teofimo Lopez (18-1-0, 13 KO) super lightweight
Co-Feature: Xander Zayas (15-0-0, 10 KO) vs Ronald Cruz (18-2-1, 12 KO) super welterweight
Also...
Henry Lebron (17-0-0, 10 KO) vs Christian Tapia (15-1-0, 12 KO) junior lightweight
Omar Rosario (10-0-0, 3 KO) vs Jan Carlos Rivera (8-1-0, 6 KO) junior welterweight
Bruce Carrington (7-0-0, 4 KO) vs TBA featherweight
Damian Knyba (11-0-0, 7 KO) vs TBA heavyweight
Taylor following Buchanan to go 'down as one of the greats'
Josh Taylor has already made history. But he wants to go further and for him the next step is fighting Teofimo Lopez in New York on June 10.
Scotland's Taylor became the UK's first undisputed champion in the four-belt era when he beat Jose Ramirez in 2021 to unify the WBC, WBO, WBA and IBF super-lightweight titles.
He remains undefeated but vacated three of his four belts in pursuit of a rematch with Jack Catterall that ultimately did not materialise.
For Taylor it's another advance following in the footsteps of his friend and mentor, the late, great Ken Buchanan.
Buchanan, who passed away on April 1, was Taylor's predecessor as an undisputed world champion from Scotland.
"His story and my story are very similar. We've both got connections to Prestonpans and Edinburgh, the way he went away and fought and won all his titles, the way I went away and fought and won all my titles," Taylor told Sky Sports.
"Things that have happened in our lives are very similar to each other. So our paths are very, very similar.
"To be fighting [at Madison Square Garden] in a big fight on a world title show, it's just another pinch me moment, another moment that's really similar to his, to follow in his footsteps."
Buchanan was a fighter Taylor admired as a boxing legend and whom he knew well as a friend.
"He used to come into Lochend boxing gym quite a lot," Taylor said of Buchanan.
"I first met him at Lochend boxing gym and I didn't know it was him at first because I'd never met him before. He was giving me all these little tips and bits of advice on how to hit the bags and how to punch."
Lochend boxing coach Terry McCormack told Taylor who the man he'd just met really was.
Ken Buchanan at London's Heathrow airport after defence of his world lightweight crown against Panama's Ismael Laguna in New York.
"I said, 'Is it really? Oh my God, I can't believe I just met him. His face looked similar but I just never put two and two together.' He just walked in randomly one time," Taylor recalled. "That was the first time I actually met him face-to-face. I knew all about him.
"After that he kept coming to the gym and giving me pointers and tips, watching me fight, doing a little bit of boxing himself. I used to watch him and talk to him and listen to all his stories and his experiences, going away to Puerto Rico to fight and America to fight, sharing the dressing room with Muhammad Ali and all that kind of stuff.
"He gave me a lot of advice over the years and for him to turn round and say I could be world champion and do it just like him, for me to go away to Vegas and win the titles, and him to come back to my house after bringing the belts back.
"I said, 'I've done it just like you champ.' And he went, 'I told you, son' and he gave me a cuddle.
"These kind of things make me really, really proud of what I've achieved in the sport."
Buchanan in his time was famous for headlining at Madison Square Garden.
It all feeds into Taylor's determination to beat Lopez in New York this summer.
"All the big names from the past have boxed at Madison Square Garden," Taylor said. "When I first started boxing, my dad and my uncle always said, 'We better start saving, you're going to box at Madison Square Garden one day.'
"Here we are. Unfortunately my uncle passed away so he's not here to see me but he'll be here in spirit. It's absolutely amazing. Only a few short years ago we were dreaming about coming here and now we are here.
"I'll be using this fight as motivation both from my uncle and Ken Buchanan. My dad's best friend passed away as well recently. So I'll be using this fight as a huge, massive motivation to come out victorious and make sure there's a similar story and do Ken and the guys proud.
"This fight will be no different. This fight I'll be coming out and making this fight happen and win this fight for these guys and making them proud. I'm buzzing for it. I'm absolutely cheesing."
For him it's "another moment in history to be made".
"It's unbelievable. Sometimes I have to give myself a little pinch with the things I've achieved and done in the sport within a short period of time. I'm absolutely buzzing for this," Taylor said.
"It's a huge fight as well. [Lopez] is from Brooklyn so it's going to be a hostile environment. There's a lot of Scottish and Irish expats here as well so I'm going to have great support over here as well.
"I'm looking forward to it. I'm really excited for it."
Despite going undisputed and undefeated in only 19 professional fights, Taylor is convinced he has still more to accomplish.
"I've already created a history and created a legacy by becoming undisputed world champ but for me obviously now I've still got goals," he explained.
"This is one; fighting at Madison Square Garden in a world title fight. That's one ticked off. I want to become a two-weight world champion. Those are goals of mine as well.
"I've still got goals and ambitions I want to achieve in the sport to leave my own legacy and my own mark on the sport. So long when I'm gone my name is still there in the history books, it's going down as one of the greats in boxing history.
"I've definitely still got my own legacy to make and still got my own mark to leave. I've still got a lot of things to do that I want to achieve so I'm still hungry for that."
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/sport/boxi...e1d16c5d&ei=30
You could be right about Taylor's weightQuote:
Originally Posted by Rotten Apple
I still think Taylor beats Lopez
i often wonder if teo hadn't tried to be cute with triller after the loma win, which lead to long delays if things might have gone differently. squandered the momentum from that win
jamaine has signed with top rank & will return on this card
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FvTRuOSa...g&name=900x900
Teofimo Lopez has caused controversy among boxing fans on social media with his latest comments ahead of his fight vs Josh Taylor.
The former WBA, WBC 'franchise' IBF and WBO lightweight world champion is now up at super-lightweight and set for a world title shot in his new division on June 10th.
Champion Taylor previously held all four belts, but now just owns the WBO crown following a lengthy period of inactivity in the aftermath of his controversial win over Jack Catterall last year.
Regardless, the Lopez fight is highly anticipated by boxing fans, with the young challenger seemingly trying to up the stakes further in his latest interview.
Lopez caused outrage as he told Punsh Drunk Boxing: “No-one felt sorry for me when I was in the ICU after my fight [vs George Kambosos Jr].
"No-one said, 'Teofimo, wish you well, hope you're good.' No-one wrote to me.
"This is a kill or be killed sport. I mean someone just passed away [on] May 6th, a kid 22 years old just passed away.
"And I said it like it is, I wanna kill Josh Taylor.
"What the f*** does that mean? People are like, ‘Let’s get back to boxing.’ But that is boxing. That is what we sign up for.
"You’re probably going to lose your life. What does that mean?
"I mean if I’mma die in that ring, at least I'd die with some dignity and some integrity. I went out there like a warrior and the champs that we are.
"That’s what I know. That’s what I sign up for. Boxing today is the gladiator days back then.
"A lot of people don’t know that because they don’t know boxing.”
Lopez continued: “When I fought Vasyl Lomachenko, I took his heart.
“Taylor's got no heart, so what can I really take from this man? His life.
"The only way I’mma make a statement is by doing that.
"I’m not sorry about that.
"How do I scare people more than ever? Take a man's life."
As always when a fighter makes such comments, there has been backlash from boxing fans on social media.
One reacted by saying: "Such a tremendous fall from grace for Teo. Anyone talking about killing someone in the ring is a clown.
While a second replied: "What an idiotic statement."
https://talksport.com/sport/boxing/1...g-josh-taylor/
"The way I think he's going to fight, we'll put him out of there early," Taylor told Sky Sports. "But if it goes the other way, which I think it might do as well, it'll be a boxing match, a clever boxing match but nothing that I'm going to be surprised with.
"I've watched him quite a bit in the lead up to this fight and I think I know what I'm expecting. But whatever he brings, I'm more than ready for.
"Having said that, the fighter that beat Lomachenko is the version of Teofimo Lopez that I'm preparing for; a very good fighter."
This will be Taylor's first fight with new trainer Joe McNally but the Scotsman is certain he will recover his best form after his contentious victory over Jack Catterall last time out.
"I've got - I've said it so many times - my mojo back. I feel like I've got it back. I just feel like I'm back to my old chirpy self. The way I was before in the lead up to the [Regis] Prograis fight. I feel I'm back to that kind of mentality. That sort of form as well," Taylor said.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/sport/boxi...4f765f15&ei=14
None of my favorite TR undercard fighters are on this, anyone I should be looking forward to on this card, a particular fight or fighter?
Taylor likes his presents which are blue trainer's left in his dressing room.
Xander Zayas at 154 is promising. Gets a decent spot vs Ronald Cruz tonight. Looks like they're trying to fast track him, kid has the charisma and talent but unfortunately has already had a couple fights fall out due to injury.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ron Swanson
Bruce Shu Shu Carrington fought earlier. Real early but love his sharp shooting fluidity. Very composed.
I'm honestly thinking Teo needs some sort of intervention. They had a vid yesterday arguing with Dad in the middle about staying on topic. I do think Teo has a point on Bradley bias. Not his angle of being racial but more so on the mic. More and more Tim calls certain fights like he's posting on social media, looking for the ruckus.Quote:
Originally Posted by Master
I used to think Lamps has some bias, Bradley just comes flat out and says a guy is 'dog food' in the division he is fighting.
Undercard fights are not great so far.
Evening chaps. These two don't seem to like each other very much.
Good evening guys. Hoping for some great fights (feature and co-feature). :)
xander needs to step up already
Right hand KD for Zayas in the 1st 30 seconds, and a mean left hook seconds from the end of the round. 10-8 Zayas
Zayas scores a flash knockdown in the first round. He has fast hands.
Zayas looking impressive.
Mosley Jnr has won his bout by stoppage in the other card.
Been chasing stray dogs missed early on :p. About time for Zayas to do 10 rounders but may be for tv time constraints. Looking sharp
Zayas footwork looks laboured and not smooth. He has fast hands but do not see him being the next Cotto.