By: Sean Crose
At thirty two years of age, he holds a world title, and hasn’t misplaced a one in every of his 19 fights. He’s additionally crushed one of the vital proficient fighters in his division and is mere hours away from going through a former world titlist. But WBO junior welterweight titlist Josh Taylor has not obtained the type of reward and approving nods others in his place might need, had they been in his footwear. There’s little doubt that may all change tomorrow night in New York Metropolis ought to the Scotsman defeat Brooklyn’s personal 18-1 former multi-belt titlist Teofimo Lopez of their scheduled 12 spherical championship affair.
This battle is bringing in a number of consideration – and for good cause. Lopez was an influence punching dynamo at light-weight, defeating none of than the good Vasyl Lomachenko en path to incomes his title belts. But Lopez hasn’t been significantly spectacular since that point, shedding his title to George Kambosos in his first title protection and searching lower than extraordinary since transferring up a weight division to junior welterweight. What’s extra, there’s been a number of consideration positioned on the very fact Lopez has claimed he desires to finish Taylor’s life this weekend.
“I need to render this man unconscious,” Taylor has stated, whereas including that “on the finish of the day, you need him to go get again, get better, get nicely, be protected and sound and go to his household.” Taylor clearly desires to separate himself from his opponent this Saturday, each by way of persona and by way of ring expertise. As a way to do each, nevertheless, he should count on the perfect Lopez attainable to slide by means of the ropes – and that Lopez might be a particularly difficult mountain to climb. Taylor, nevertheless, seems assured. On the very least, he hasn’t let Lopez get inside his head within the leadup to this weekend.
Ought to he win on Saturday, Taylor can have victories over Lopez, in addition to Regis Prograis, who he decisioned just a few years again, on his resume. That kind of factor – defeating two identify fighters – doesn’t go unnoticed, nor ought to it. Whether or not or not Taylor will then be considered as one of many high fighters within the enterprise stays to be seen. First he has to beat Lopez, in any case, and that CERTAINLY isn’t assured…which, in fact, makes tomorrow evening’s battle nicely price watching. Related matches between excessive degree/excessive profile fighters is at all times a very good factor.
