Josh Taylor On The Possibility Of Facing Teofimo Lopez: “He’s A Great Fighter But Actually Become Undisputed At Lightweight First”

By: Hans Themistode

A euphoric feeling instantly swept over Josh Taylor final night time. The 30-year-old Scotland native packed up his luggage, kissed his household and pals goodbye and headed to America to tackle Jose Ramirez in an undisputed title struggle on the Virgins Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The time away from his family members paid off as Taylor dropped Ramirez twice en path to turning into undisputed at 140 kilos. Whereas a lot of the boxing world watched for leisure, Teofimo Lopez noticed from ringside with a extra purposeful purpose. With 135 kilos turning into more and more tough to make, Lopez has said on quite a few events that he totally intends on transferring up in weight to problem the winner of final night time’s showdown to grow to be a two-time undisputed champion.

Having taken care of enterprise in opposition to all comers, Taylor has no difficulty with going through Lopez. However, first issues first, he believes the younger star has one factor left to do in his present weight class.

“He’s received to care for enterprise at light-weight and really grow to be undisputed at light-weight first,” stated Taylor throughout an interview with FightHype.com.

From the second Lopez defeated Vasiliy Lomachenko in October of 2020, huge confusion has ensued. When the 2 confronted off in The Bubble on the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada, Lopez held the IBF 135 pound title. As for Lomachenko, he was in possession of the Ring Journal, WBA, WBO and WBC “Franchise” titles.

Shortly after successful the WBC belt from Luke Campbell in August of 2019, then interim titlist Devin Haney tried to pursue a showdown with Lomachenko. With the Ukrainian extra enthusiastic about going through Lopez, Mauricio Sulaiman, President of the WBC sanctioning physique, stripped Lomachenko of his world title and as an alternative, created the ever complicated “Franchise” tag. In flip, Haney turned the complete belt holder.

Regardless of the perplexity of the scenario, Lopez has continued to say that he’s the undisputed light-weight champion. Within the thoughts of Taylor, nonetheless, he merely isn’t.

“He’s a terrific fighter,” continued Taylor. “Nice expertise however he’s received some stuff to do at light-weight.”

With a showdown in opposition to Lopez seemingly off the desk for now, Taylor isn’t enthusiastic about naming anybody who could possibly be presumably subsequent for him.

After touring to America largely by his lonesome as a consequence of COVID-19 journey restrictions within the UK, Taylor merely needs to relaxation. Though he’s ecstatic about turning into an undisputed champion, he received’t enable himself to get complacent. Contemplating his identify is definitely on the high of the division, he’s totally conscious that he’ll need to take his coaching strategies to a complete different stage.

“All of the years of onerous work and dedication have paid off. I’m on the high now however I’ve an enormous goal on my massive. The onerous work continues.”