Teófimo Lopez delivers a spectacular performance, dethroning Josh Taylor and becoming a two-division world champion in a boxing match that left the sports world in awe.
Photo Credit: Twitter
On Saturday night at Madison Square Garden, Teófimo López (19-1, 13 KOs) defeated previously unbeaten WBO light welterweight champion Josh Taylor (19-1, 13 KOs). Taylor suffered his first career loss as a result of López’s overwhelming performance, and the WBO junior welterweight belt, which Taylor had held since 2021, was successfully defended.
THIS SLO-MO SHOT. pic.twitter.com/b98DwCmO4U
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) June 11, 2023
Throughout the fight, López showcased his prowess, particularly in the middle stages where he outperformed and outlanded the former undisputed champion. As the bout progressed, López’s dominance became even more apparent, culminating in a commanding display in the championship rounds that nearly resulted in a stoppage.
The cards. #TaylorLopez pic.twitter.com/pdeiHiCZac
— Evan Korn (@KornerMan44) June 11, 2023
The three ringside judges rendered scores of 117-111 and 115-113 (twice), indicating López’s superiority. With this victory, López halted Taylor’s unbeaten streak of 20 professional fights. Taylor, who had become the British fighter and one of only five boxers in the four-belt era to attain undisputed champion status across any weight class, gracefully accepted defeat, acknowledging López as the better man that night.
Taylor expressed his respect for López, stating, “No excuses. It wasn’t my best. The better man won tonight. I’ve got no excuses. I fought to the best of my ability. He was better than me tonight. It is what it is. Congratulations to Teófimo.” He also conveyed his desire for a rematch, believing in his ability to defeat López in a future bout.
López, elated by his triumph, recognized the significance of his accomplishment, proclaiming, “It’s been a long time coming. We just beat the No. 1 guy, the lineal world champion, the former undisputed world champion.” He admitted that his pre-fight remarks about wanting to take Taylor’s life in the ring were fueled by emotions, expressing regret and offering a sincere apology.
Reflecting on the fight, López attributed his success to his strategic approach, acknowledging Taylor’s toughness and skills while emphasizing the importance of countering the counterpuncher and outsmarting his opponent. With his victory, López reinforced his belief in his abilities, asking, “Do I still got it?”
“DO I STILL GOT IT!?”@TeofimoLopez | #TaylorLopez pic.twitter.com/DZ8wWhM2yU
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) June 11, 2023
The impressive performance by López solidified his status as a formidable force in the boxing world. Following his triumph over Taylor, opportunities abound for the two-division world champion. Potential future matchups include Regis Prograis, Ryan Garcia, Rolly Romero, and Devin Haney, the current undisputed lightweight champion. López’s victory demonstrates that he remains a force to be reckoned with in the 140-pound weight class.
Teófimo López’s victory over Josh Taylor marks a significant milestone in his career, elevating him to the status of a two-division world champion. With his exceptional performance, López has firmly established himself as a dominant force in the ring and opened up a world of possibilities for future matchups in his quest for further greatness.
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