Josh Taylor vs. Teofimo Lopez Fight Card, Odds, & Predictions

The WBO World Super Lightweight title of Josh Taylor will be on the line this Saturday, June 10, as he tries to fend off the challenge from Teofimo Lopez inside the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York. As the undefeated and reigning champion, Taylor comes in as the betting favorite in online sports betting at -160, while the challenger plays the underdog role at +138 due to a stain in his record.

Buckle up…

We are now entering #TaylorLopez fight week 💥🗽 pic.twitter.com/oPZtyBBrAj

— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) June 5, 2023

Another factor why Taylor is the favorite to come away with the victory is because he is the natural super lightweight fighter among the two and has been competing in the 140-pound division since his professional debut in 2015. On the other hand, this will only be Lopez’s fourth bout in the weight class after losing the IBF, WBA, and WBO World Lightweight titles to George Kambosos Jr. in November 2021.

Josh Taylor Recent Fight Results

Josh Taylor made a successful professional debut in July 2015, when he TKO’ed Weah Archiebald in two rounds. Since then, he went on a 13-fight winning streak (with 11 finishes) and won multiple minor and regional boxing titles. Because of that impressive streak, he earned the right to challenge Ivan Baranchyk for the IBF World Super Lightweight title, and he passed the test by winning via unanimous decision.

Following that triumph over Baranchyk, Taylor proceeded to become the lineal and undisputed super lightweight world champion by beating Regis Prograis (majority decision in October 2019), Apinun Khongsong (first-round knockout in September 2020), Jose Carlo Ramirez (unanimous decision in May 2021), and Jack Catterall (split decision in February 2022). This Saturday’s fight with Lopez will be Taylor’s comeback fight after over a year of layoff.

The night @JoshTaylorBoxer went to war to unify the 140-pound division 👑👑 pic.twitter.com/BfB9KNrWaS

— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) June 5, 2023

Teofimo Lopez Recent Fight Results

Teofimo Lopez first fought in November 2016, and he racked up 14 wins, including 11 TKO/KOs to capture minor titles such as the WBC Continental Americas Lightweight title, IBF USBA Lightweight title, and NABF Lightweight title. “The Takeover” appeared in his first major title fight in December 2019 against Richard Commey, and he demolished him with a second-round TKO victory.

He cemented his status as a boxing star when he scored a gigantic, unanimous decision upset over Vasiliy Lomachenko in October 2020 to add the WBA and WBO World Lightweight titles to his resume. Unfortunately, Lopez lost these titles to George Kambosos Jr. in November 2021 via a split decision. This prompted him to move up in the super lightweight division, where he defeated Pedro Campa and Sandor Martin to obtain the title shot against Josh Taylor.

The KO & the celly was too cold 🥶@TeofimoLopez | #TaylorLopez pic.twitter.com/63AiOhiqM5

— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) June 6, 2023

Josh Taylor vs. Teofimo Lopez: Tale of the Tape

Josh Taylor vs. Teofimo Lopez: Fight Analysis

On paper, there is no significant difference between Taylor and Lopez in terms of height, reach, and finishing rate, as the latter will only have 2  inches of height and an inch of reach advantage. Both have the same TKO/KO percentage of 68%; however, there is a seven-year gap between them.

Lopez will enjoy the youth advantage at age 25 against Taylor, who is already 32. This age difference comes as a double-edged sword- On one end, the challenger possesses the youth and athleticism, and on the other end, the defending champion will have the luxury of experience and maturity that can be used during the fight.

Both boxing stars pack power on their punches as reflected in their finishing rate, but they have different points of attack, as Taylor likes to target his opponent’s body, while Lopez often goes headhunting. The two are notorious for pressuring their opponents through combinations and by moving forward.

The fight plan for “The Tartan Tornado” is to play the role of a counterpuncher. He must exploit the vulnerability of Lopez whenever he throws his combinations in blitz because he is not in the best position to defend any punches coming his way. Taylor must replicate the punch that Kambosos Jr. has landed to drop Lopez in their fight.

Another method that Taylor can use to retain his title is through his favorite technique of closing the distance and bullying his opponent into the ropes. This approach allows Taylor to aim for his opponent’s body and throw his patented punches, which can fold his opposition. Additionally, it is an excellent opportunity to score points on the judges’ scorecards. 

On the other hand, Lopez should maximize his speed advantage versus Taylor to land his signature combinations to the head. Contrary to the fight plan of the defending champion, “The Takeover” needs to pair his combinations with great footwork to avoid any counters returning to his direction at the tail end of his punches.

Lopez can also magnify his quickness by throwing swift hooks that can potentially frustrate Taylor. The idea is to “hit and not get hit,” a la Floyd Mayweather Jr. Once the New York native can succeed in upsetting Taylor and throwing him off his initial fight plan, then he can finally pick his shots and go for a possible finish.

Regardless of this speed and footwork from Lopez, Taylor still has the size advantage, which is crucial, especially when he decides to take the fight in a close-range affair. Then,  the reigning WBO champion can operate on the challenger’s body through punches to his solar plexus and liver, which can neutralize Lopez’s power.

Josh Taylor vs. Teofimo Lopez: Date and Start Time

June 10, 2023, 8 p.m. PT

June 10, 2023, 10 p.m. CT

June 10, 2023, 11 p.m. ET

Josh Taylor vs. Teofimo Lopez: Fight Prediction

Official Prediction: Unanimous decision victory for Josh Taylor.

See the entire Josh Taylor vs. Teofimo Lopez odds and wagers here.