osh Taylor places his WBO light-welterweight title on the road on Saturday evening as he fights Teofimo Lopez in New York.
It’s greater than 15 months because the Scottish fighter was final in motion, when he made a massively controversial first defence of his undisputed crown towards Jack Catterall. Most consider the challenger ought to have gotten the choice that evening in Glasgow, nevertheless it was Taylor who obtained the nod on the playing cards to maintain maintain of his belts and transfer to 19-0.
Since then the 32-year-old, who turned UK’s first undisputed champion within the four-belt period when beating Jose Ramirez two years in the past, has vacated his IBF, WBA and WBC titles, opting towards fulfilling his obligatory necessities in favour of rematching Catterall.
That was set to happen earlier this 12 months, however Taylor picked up an harm and was then ordered by the WBO to defend his belt towards Lopez, the previous unified light-weight champion, as an alternative.
The 25-year-old produced a sensational show to beat Vasiliy Lomachenko in 2020, however misplaced these titles in his first defence towards George Kambosos Jr and since then has moved up in weight to 140lbs, selecting up two low-key victories.
He now will get his likelihood to turn out to be a world champion once more, whereas Taylor appears to be like to rebuild a repute that has been considerably tarnished by the controversy surrounding his win over Catterall.
Taylor vs Lopez takes place on Saturday June 10, 2023 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
The principal undercard will not be attributable to begin till round 1am BST on Sunday for battle followers within the UK, with ring walks for the principle occasion itself anticipated at round 4am BST. As ever although, these timings are topic to vary.
Josh Taylor vs Teofimo Lopez
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TV channel: The battle will likely be broadcast dwell on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Action within the UK, with protection getting underway at 1am BST within the early hours of Sunday morning.
Live stream: The Sky Go app will permit subscribers to look at on-line through a dwell stream.
Josh Taylor goes into the battle because the slight favorite, however he has loads of inquiries to reply regardless of being a former undisputed champion who has by no means misplaced as an expert.
The Scot is clearly tight at 140lbs, with a transfer up in weight anticipated within the close to future, and he has had harm points which have hampered the deliberate rematch with Catterall. Taylor has additionally fought simply as soon as up to now two years, a battle he ought to actually have misplaced.
He can have the dimensions benefit over Lopez although, who has not been notably spectacular in any respect since transferring to light-welterweight. He was dropped by Sandor Martin in December, earlier than ultimately getting the job finished on factors, and a repeat of that show is not going to be wherever close to adequate.
Taylor at his greatest actually has the power to increase his unbeaten document, however neither are coming into the bout in peak kind. We’re going for the champion to defend his title on the finish of a aggressive 12 rounds.
Taylor to win, unanimous resolution.
The fighters will take to the scales on Friday - examine again in then for a full replace!
Taylor to win: 1/2
Lopez to win: 13/8
Draw: 16/1
Taylor to win by KO/TKO: 21/10
Lopez to win by KO/TKO: 5/1
Taylor to win by factors or resolution: 6/4
Lopez to win by factors or resolution: 3/1
Odds through Betfair (topic to vary).
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