Josh Taylor vs Teofimo Lopez expert fight predictions
Undefeated WBO super-lightweight king Josh Taylor (19-0, 13KO) will defend his world title and Ring Magazine belt to former lightweight kingpin Teofimo Lopez (18-1, 13KO) on Saturday, June 10 at The Theater in Madison Square Garden.
“The Tartan Tornado” is the former undisputed champion at 140lbs, having collected all four major titles in a remarkable four-fight run that included wins over Ivan Baranchyk, Regis Prograis and Jose Ramirez. He debuted in 2015 and captured a Commonwealth title in his second year before defeating fellow unbeaten prospect Ohara Davies via seventh-round TKO. The 32-year-old then beat former world champions Miguel Vazquez and Viktor Postol before entering the World Boxing Super Series in 2018. Taylor stopped then-undefeated contender Ryan Martin via TKO before capturing his first world title with a decision victory over Baranchyk. His wins over Prograis and Ramirez left no doubt he was the world’s supreme 140-pound practitioner. Taylor returns more than one year after his last performance, a controversial split decision over British rival Jack Catterall.
“The Takeover” Lopez is the former unified and lineal lightweight world champion. In December 2019, he captured the IBF title with an explosive second-round knockout of Richard Commey. The following October, he bested pound-for-pound king Vasiliy Lomachenko to win the WBA, WBO, and WBC Franchise titles. 13 months later, he lost the belts via split decision to George Kambosos Jr. The 25-year-old then made his super-lightweight debut in August 2022 by stopping Pedro Campa in the seventh staza. Last December, Lopez edged Spanish southpaw Sandor Martin by split decision. Lopez now has his sights set on another southpaw and hopes to become the sport’s latest two-division ruler.
BBN asked their trusted panel of boxing experts from all over the world who they think wins and why:
Rick RamosRing 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."
Tony BellewFormer WBC crusierweight world champion
"Two excellent fighters and it’s going to come down to who wants it the most on the night.
"We’ve seen what both of these fighters are capable of when at their best and if we get the best version of both men then this fight could be something special.
"Josh is the naturally bigger man and I think he’d be wise to use his size. Make it his fight early and then stay on top. If he can do that then he’ll outwork Lopez and take this fight on the cards."
Matt MarshFormer British champion
"Teofimo Lopez win, for me.
"I know he hasn’t done much since beating Lomachenko, but he is hungry and I personally don’t think Taylor will be able to cope with the power of Lopez.
"Lopez win on points or late stoppage."
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."
Regis PrograisWBC super-lightweight champion
"I think Lopez is mentally weak. He asked after his last fight if he still has it. I think Taylor is going to capitalise 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."
Arijan GorickiFeatherweight 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 RicksonBBN Editor
"Taylor's last six opponents have a combined record of 133-0! That's so highly impressive and shows that he can take on – and defeat – 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 just as well as giving it out. He proved this in his barnstormer with Regis Prograis too. He is physically and mentally tough.
"What I find fascinating with Taylor is that he can beat opponents 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 exactly what he wanted in the fight and still dominated him. He can beat you at your own game.
"Lopez is a formidable fighter, aggressive and powerful, great counter puncher. 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. Not a robbery, for me.
"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 that night for 'E Gato', 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. You could even say that Taylor is fortunate to be 19-0 and should really be 18-1, and that Lopez is unfortunate to be 18-1 and could really be 19-0.
"Taylor 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. I think he will ooze class, outwork, outbox, outwit Lopez, maybe even scoring a knockdown or two along the way."
Uros DjikanovicBoxing manager & advisor
"Honestly, this fight can go either way. If Taylor shows up like he did against Catterall, he will lose this fight, no doubt.
"Lopez is a great fighter and yes he lost against George Kambosos, but it was an amazing fight. Taylor had big problems last time he was cutting weight and there were talks that fight against Catterall will be his last fight in super lightweight. He did not have a fight since and, for his first fight back, I think Lopez is a tough opponent.
"I’m not very confident in Taylor and I’m taking Lopez to win this fight. If Taylor wins I would love to see the rematch against Catterall."
Aqib TahlatBBN 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."
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