WBO Super-Lightweight: As they both made weight in preparation for their WBO super-lightweight fight on Saturday in New York, which will be shown live on Sky Sports, Josh Taylor and Teofimo Lopez continued to trade insults.
Teofimo Lopez Sr., the boxer’s father, raised his middle fingers at the rowdy audience after Brooklyn’s 18-1, 13 knockouts fighter Lopez stripped to the maximum 140 pounds allowed for his class.
A sizable Scottish contingent cheered on Taylor (19-0, 13 KOs), 32, as he weighed in at 139.8 pounds in preparation for his attempt to retain his title at Madison Square Garden.
Just as after the press conference on Thursday, the two were absolutely kept apart after the weigh-in. Lopez remained mute while staring his opponent in the eye.
The American was “getting it,” Taylor, who was dressed in a kilt, stated, pointing at Lopez’s head, before making a throat-slit gesture and saying, “You’re finished.”
What is Taylor capable of?
Taylor will enter the ring for the first time since his disputed victory over Jack Catterall of England in February 2022, which was awarded on a split decision.
The Scot is aware that the night in Glasgow over 16 months ago was not his best, but he is adamant that when he challenges Lopez this weekend, he will be at his best.
“You’re only as good as your last fight,” Taylor remarked, “but we could both look at our past results and say that’s a bunch of s***. “I performed c*** because I prepared c*** for the final bout.
“I think he was the same [when defeating Sandor Martin in a split decision last December]. He lost focus, and his performance suffered as well. Here, the bit is between both of our teeth.
“He is facing up against the ruler of the division. He’s a skilled fighter, I know that. I’m prepared for the version that defeated (Vasyl) Lomachenko [in October 2020] because it’s a highly skilled fighter.
“Your planning is everything. You’ll see the best of me on Saturday night because I worked hard and to the best of my abilities to prepare this time.”
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