Teofimo Lopez is continuing his comeback to the top table and adjusting to life in the 140lbs division as he faces Sandor Martin at Maddison Square Garden, NY this Saturday. Lopez is looking further ahead past this Saturday as he spoke to the media this week and is setting his crosshairs solely on Josh Taylor if he proves himself to be successful against Spain’s Martin.
“The goal for next year is Josh Taylor in the UK,” Lopez told BoxingScene.com, “to kick his ass in the UK, and give the fans a huge performance, a good treat.”
“I believe if the money’s right and if he stays consistent,” Lopez said, “meaning like when he’s not fighting staying consistent on his weight – but I believe that with the right money, in the UK against Teofimo, definitely, I believe he’ll do one more [fight at 140]. Win or lose, it’s a win-win for him.”
Taylor has agreed to face domestic rival, Jack Catterall in a rematch which is rumoured to take place in late February/March next year after a controversial contest with many observers feeling that Jack had done enough to claim victory over the then undisputed champion. Since the February encounter, Taylor has vacated the WBC,IBF and WBA super-lightweight titles due to solely focusing on a rematch with Catterall.
Judges Ian-John Lewis (114-111) and Victor Loughlin (113-112) scored Taylor the winner by slim margins. Judge Howard Foster scored the action 113-112 for Catterall, who also had a point taken away by referee Marcus McDonnell for excessive holding during the 10th round. Taylor also suffered a knockdown in round eight and a point taking off for punching after the bell in round 11.
Lopez refused to call on who he thought won the original February encounter but did say “That’s why they’re doing a rematch, that way, we can settle the whole controversial situation we had the last time.”
