June 11, (THEWILL) – Teofimo Lopez emerged triumphant in a thrilling clash at Madison Square Garden, dealing a crushing blow to Josh Taylor’s reign as he captured the WBO super-lightweight title with a comprehensive points victory.
Taylor, who had successfully defended his title for over four years, faced his first defeat in 20 professional bouts. The setback proved particularly challenging for the Scottish boxer, who had previously relinquished the WBC, IBF, and WBA belts due to injuries and mandatory commitments. The judges’ scorecards of 115-113, 115-115, and 117-111 reflected Lopez’s exceptional form throughout the match.
Following a controversial victory over Jack Catterall in February of the previous year, this highly-anticipated fight marked Lopez’s return to the spotlight. The outcome could have swayed in a different direction as Taylor made a strong start, demonstrating his adept use of the jab and delivering impactful body shots. The tide seemed to turn in Taylor’s favour when Lopez slipped to the canvas in the third round.
However, as the bout progressed, Lopez steadily grew in confidence and began asserting his dominance over the contest. Taylor struggled to match the lightning-fast hand speed of the Brooklyn boxer, ultimately unable to mount a comeback.
Barring an unforeseen knockout from Taylor, Lopez appeared to be on a clear path to victory, while Taylor found himself grappling with the challenges of the later rounds. With a display of remarkable skill and resilience, Lopez solidified his position in the fight, capturing a world title in a second weight class. By the final bell, Taylor was left to contemplate the opportunities that slipped through his grasp.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
