Josh Taylor vs. Teofimo Lopez: date, time, how to watch, background
Josh Taylor will defend his 140-pound title against Teofimo Lopez in a showdown that is crucial for both fighters Saturday in New York City.
JOSH TAYLOR (19-0, 13 KOs) VS. TEOFIMO LOPEZ (18-1, 13 KOs)
- Date: Saturday, June 10
- Time: 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
- Where: Madison Square Garden, New York
- TV/Stream: ESPN, ESPN+
- Division: Junior welterweight (140 pounds)
- At stake: Taylor’s WBO title
- Odds: Taylor 1½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
- Also on the card: Xander Zayas vs. Ronald Cruz, junior middleweights; Robson Conceicao vs. Nicolas Polanco, junior lightweights; Henry Lebron vs. Carlos Ramos, junior lightweights; Jamaine Ortiz vs. Humberto Galindo, lightweights
- Prediction: Lopez SD
- Background: The main event fighters are both aiming to reestablished lost momentum. Taylor, whose collection of titles is down to one, hasn’t fought since he survived a knockdown to defeat Jack Catterall by a disputed split decision in February of last year in Taylor’s native Scotland. That was his fourth defense after winning his first title by a unanimous decision over Ivan Baranchyk in May 2019. He subsequently defeated Regis Prograis, Apinun Khongsong and Jose Ramirez before delivering a so-so performance against Catterall. Lopez turned the 135-pound division upside down when he upset pound-for-pound king Vasiliy Lomachenko by a unanimous decision in October 2020. His glory didn’t last long, however. In his first defense George Kambosos Jr. upset Lopez by a split decision in November 2021. It was learned afterward that Lopez fought with a dangerous condition called Pneumomediastinum, in which air surrounded his chest wall and heart. He also reportedly had a slew of distractions outside the ring. He took eight-plus months off and returned as a 140-pounder, stopping Pedro Campa last August and defeating a reluctant Sandor Martin by a split decision in December. This is Lopez’s chance to regain what the status he lost against Kambosos.