https://cdn.proboxtv.com/uploads/hqdefault_8a6e3d6062.jpg
Teofimo Lopez Josh Taylor Trending and Latest News Taylor VS Lopez

Josh Taylor vs. Teofimo Lopez: Preview, Prediction & Betting Odds

  • 7 min read
  • by

The trash-talking and buzz are building up for what looks to be an intriguing super lightweight title fight on ESPN live from the Hulu Theater inside the Madison Square Garden. IBF super lightweight champion Josh Taylor (19-0, 13 KOs) will put the IBF and RING Magazine titles on the line against Teofimo Lopez (18-1, 13 KOs).

The buzz would have been through the roof if this fight had occurred a year ago. Both men have gone through adversity, but I would argue that the fight is just as exciting now as it was back then, with both fighters coming into this one-off of shaky performances in their last fight. The real question will be who truly put in the necessary work during training camp to have their hand raised in the end.

ALTHOUGH UNDEFEATED, JOSH TAYLOR MUST ONCE AGAIN PROVE HE IS THE TOP GUY IN THE DIVISION

What felt like just yesterday was 2019 when Taylor captured the imagination of boxing fans worldwide when he beat Regis Prograis during the World Boxing Super Series finals. The achievement was the gift and the curse as Taylor was stung by the inactivity bug which has plagued the sport of boxing. Fighting only once a year since 2020, Taylor just didn’t look as dominant as he did during the tournament. He beat Jose Ramirez in 2021 to become the undisputed super lightweight champion but failed to capitalize off the momentum as he laid an egg against Jack Catterall last year. After injuries and postponements, Catterall didn’t want to wait for Taylor as he felt he was being ducked, so he moved on. That left Taylor looking for a big name as a dancing partner, and out came Lopez.

Taylor is the type of fighter that likes to jump in and out, which can be problematic against a counterpuncher like Lopez. The other issue is that Taylor likes to keep his hands too low, and although that hasn’t been an issue in his previous fights, that can haunt him in this one. What Taylor does well is that he is a pressure fighter and sucks up his opponent’s oxygen. He must be relentless against Lopez, forcing him to go backward where he is vulnerable. Taylor has those long arms from the southpaw style that can get to Lopez when he moves back with his hands down. Can Taylor turn the clock back to his WBSS version and pull out the victory in NYC?

TEOFIMO LOPEZ WILL HAVE TO ‘TAKEOVER’ PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY ON SATURDAY NIGHT 

It’s incredible how Lopez has all of these things going on in and out of the ring, yet he can compartmentalize them to focus on the task. At least that’s what he has people thinking, but when you hear some of his interviews and question himself after the Sandor Martin fight, you create a different opinion. Lopez can put up a good face but deep down inside, he is going through it, and that’s ok. He is 25 years old and is forced to deal with real-life issues while trying to become a world champion. Yes, he has put himself in that situation, but that doesn’t mean the public should jump on him for it. When you are going through it like Lopez is, you tend to say things that you will later regret, like the racial stuff he mentioned in interviews.

Fast forward to this fight with Taylor as he returns to the same building where he was once crowned king against a future Hall of Famer. Lopez is going to have to be sharp and accurate with his counterpunches. There are openings he can expose as Taylor keeps his hands down a lot, but Lopez’s conditioning has to be top-notch for him to take advantage of it late in the fight. If Lopez gets lazy with his defense, he will be punished all night, which may lead to a late stoppage. Will Saturday night be the beginning of Lopez’s second run as champ? 

JOSH TAYLOR VS. TEOFIMO LOPEZ PREDICTION

This is a tough fight to call, as both are coming off of lackluster performances. Lopez likes for people to think he isn’t taking things as seriously as he should, but I believe he will be as locked in as he was for the Lomachenko fight. Lopez takes Taylor to the scorecards and pulls off a narrow decision victory in the same building he once became lightweight king. 

JOSH TAYLOR VS. TEOFIMO LOPEZ BETTING ODDS 

Per BetOnline.ag, Josh Taylor is the favorite at -185, and Teofimo Lopez is the underdog at +165.

Josh Taylor: Decision +150; TKO/KO +240; Under 10 ½ rounds +180

Draw: +1200

Teofimo Lopez: Decision +275; TKO/KO +500; Over 10 ½ rounds -220

 

Round Group Betting

Taylor, Josh by KO/TKO/DQ in

Round 1 to 3 +2800 

Taylor, Josh by KO/TKO/DQ in

Round 4 to 6 +1100 

Taylor, Josh by KO/TKO/DQ in

Round 7 to 9 +700 

Taylor, Josh by KO/TKO/DQ in

Round 10 to 12 +800 

 

Lopez, Teofimo by KO/TKO/DQ in

Round 1 to 3 +4000 

Lopez, Teofimo by KO/TKO/DQ in

Round 4 to 6 +1800 

Lopez, Teofimo by KO/TKO/DQ in

Round 7 to 9 +1200 

Lopez, Teofimo by KO/TKO/DQ in

Round 10 to 12 +1400

 

JOSH TAYLOR VS. TEOFIMO LOPEZ FIGHT DATE, START TIME

  • Date: Saturday, June 10
  • Time: 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT (5:15 p.m. ET/ 2:15 p.m. PT for ESPN+ undercards)
  • Main event ringwalks (approx): 12 a.m. ET / 9 p.m. PT 

These timings could change due to the length of the undercard fights. 

WHAT CHANNEL/STREAM IS JOSH TAYLOR VS. TEOFIMO LOPEZ?

  • U.S.: ESPN, ESPN+ & ESPN Deportes    
  • UK:   Sky Sports 

JOSH TAYLOR VS. TEOFIMO LOPEZ FIGHT CARD

  • Josh Taylor (c) vs. Teofimo Lopez for the WBO and The Ring super lightweight titles
  • Xander Zayas vs. Ronald Cruz; junior middleweights
  • Henry Lebron vs. Carlos Ramos; super featherweights
  • Jamaine Ortiz vs. Humberto Galindo; lightweights
  • Robson Conceicao vs. Nicolas Polanco; super featherweights
  • Omar Rosario vs. Jan Carlos Rivera; junior welterweights
  • Damian Knyba vs. Helaman Olguin; heavyweights
  • Bruce Carrington vs. Luis Porozo; featherweights
← Click here to see all about Teofimo Lopez ← Click here to see all Trending and Latest news ← Click here to see all Taylor VS Lopez news
Boxing Tonight