Josh Taylor will defend his WBO super-lightweight championship towards Teofimo Lopez on June 10 on the Madison Sq. Backyard Theater dwell on Sky Sports activities.
Taylor grew to become the UK’s first undisputed champion within the 4 belt period when he beat Jose Ramirez in 2021 to unify the IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO 140lb titles.
He’ll return to the US for the primary time since that triumph to field Brooklyn’s Lopez on the historic New York venue in June.
Josh Taylor says his world title defence towards Teofimo Lopez will give the followers implausible motion and a full of life build-up
“These are the type of fights, all these huge names within the sport that hold the motivation and the fireplace burning in my stomach and provides me that pleasure and that buzz,” Taylor informed Sky Sports activities.
“The hearth’s clearly burning. I am actually excited to be right here and boxing within the Mecca of boxing. Madison Sq. Backyard is the place all of the giants and all of the legends of the game have boxed previously. Hopefully I can do that battle and I change into a legend, a gift legend.”
Lopez was recognised because the main light-weight on this planet when he beat Vasiliy Lomachenko and unified three championship titles.
Josh Taylor has branded Teofimo Lopez as a ‘clown’ and believes he ‘seemed previous’ Sandor Martin forward of his break up choice win in New York
He suffered an upset loss to George Kambosos and moved up a division final yr, profitable each of his fights, towards Pedro Campa and Sandor Martin, at 140lbs.
Taylor got here by way of a contentious bout with bitter rival Jack Catterall final yr to stay undefeated. He by no means misplaced his belts within the ring however vacated three of his 4 titles as he seemed to make a rematch with Catterall.
The Scotsman suffered an harm earlier this yr that noticed the mooted bout with Catterall known as off. When Lopez was known as for a compulsory defence of the WBO championship, Taylor answered the problem.
Teofimo Lopez received a controversial factors choice over Sandor Martin and the 2 fighters had a heated argument after the scorecards have been learn out
It’s a battle Taylor believes will improve his legacy within the sport.
“[Lopez] was a unified world champion at light-weight. He’ll say he was undisputed champion however sadly he wasn’t. He ought to have been technically however he wasn’t. So I am going to wind him up about that,” Taylor stated.
“He is bought an awesome fashion. You have to give credit score the place credit score’s due. He went out and beat Lomachenko who on the time was among the best pound-for-pound fighters on the planet and he went out and received.
“He is an excellent fighter. Stylistically I believe it is an excellent battle for myself as nicely with the best way he involves battle. He comes searching for you and does not take a backwards step. He is a really aggressive, front-foot strain fighter.
Teofimo Lopez knocks down then stops Pedro Campa within the seventh spherical at Resorts World Occasions Heart in Las Vegas
“I like a little bit of a battle myself. I am not shy to having a very good battle and a very good tear up. So I believe it is bought the makings of being an absolute barnstormer of a battle.”
However he added: “I believe it should be nice whereas it lasts. I believe considered one of us is getting knocked out, and I do not assume it should be myself that is for positive.”
It will be a private triumph for Taylor.
Teofimo Lopez calls out Josh Taylor after his seventh-round stoppage of Pedro Campa and desires to be a two-time undisputed champion
“He is been speaking numerous smack for a few years about my title and about myself,” the Scotsman stated.
“So it is lastly right here.
“He cannot disguise for an excessive amount of longer!”
