Live results: Lopez wins UD-12 (115-113, 115-113, 117-111) over Josh Taylor
TOOK OVER.@TeofimoLopez | #TaylorLopez pic.twitter.com/Tj9tr69pBG
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) June 11, 2023
11:18 p.m. update: Taylor makes his way to the ring to a sold out MSG, ready to take on Teofimo Lopez
This weekend a super welterweight division showdown between Josh Taylor (19-0, 13 KOs) and Teofimo Lopez (18-1, 13 KOs) is set for Saturday, June 10. Taylor will defend his WBO super welterweight title and Lopez a former undisputed world champion, is looking to capture the 140 lb. belt. Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City is the site where the bout will take place.
ESPN+PPV will stream Taylor-Lopez, as the main card gets going at 10 p.m. ET, with ring-walks for the main event projected for 11:15 p.m.
Taylor is a Scottish native who is known for his aggressive style out of the gate. In his most recent fight, Taylor walked away with a victory by way of split decision over Jack Catterall last February. The 32-year-old burst onto the scene in 2018, dominating the likes of Ryan Martin and Viktor Postul en route to capturing IBF, WBA, and The Ring light-welterweight titles. A 2021 win over Jose Ramirez added the WBC and WBO light-welterweight titles to his collection. Now he looks to add a signature win to his resume.
Lopez is the former undisputed lightweight champion of the world, who took the boxing world by storm in 2020 when he defeated Vasily Lomachenko. This win landed him the WBA, IBF, WBO, and The Ring lightweight titles. However his reign was short lived as after getting stunned by George Kambosos Jr. in his first title defense back in 2021, subsequently losing the undisputed crown. Since then, he’s won his last two fights, including a split decision win over Sandor Martin last December. The 25-year-old is looking to claim another world title in his hometown of New York.
Taylor comes into the bout as the favorite at DraftKings Sportsbook. He is a -150 favorite while Lopez enters a +150 underdog.
Josh Taylor vs. Teofimo Lopez round-by-round results
Round 1: Taylor 10-9
Slow start for both, but Lopez standing tall with Taylor. Taylor jumps on Teofimo misses a few punches, Lopez sneaks in a nice right hand. Left to the body grazing Lopez from Taylor. Lopez bobbing away from Taylor’s attacks. Taylor more aggressive to start here, he gets the round.
Round 2: Lopez 10-9
Lopez starts out firing here and has Taylor backing up a bit. Left hand from Taylor misses and Lopez lands a nice counter that connects. Right hand swung by Lopez and he follows up with a nice left hook. Lopez being more busy in this round. Lopez with some quickness to avoid late flurry from Taylor.
Round 3: Lopez 10-9 (Lopez 29-28)
Taylor tries an early combo and Lopez is seated on the ropes. Taylor tries to throw a punch as he’s down, ref gives him a warning. Lopez upset but returns to his feet. Teofimo tries an uppercut and slips. Lopez standing his ground and each time Taylor pushes forward the two get tied up. A common theme to end the round, but Lopez defensively is holding up.
Round 4: Lopez 10-9 (Lopez 39-37)
Taylor doing good work to get in position, but not landing any clean hits. Lopez firing back and lands a nice left to start the round. Lopez ends the round with his best sequence of the fight and Taylor finally ate a shot.
Round 5: Lopez 10-9 (Lopez 49-46)
Lopez finding his groove in this one. Taylor looking a bit slow and not moving his head as frequent. Lopez cutting off the ring and pushed Taylor to the canvas momentarily. Now Lopez lands a nice left hook to the right eye of Taylor. Wow. Lopez best round so far.
Round 6: Lopez 10-9 (Lopez 59-55)
Teofimo with some good work, lands to the body, Taylor lands a shot that stops him in his tracks, not dramatically, but just enough. Confidence in Lopez increasing as the fight goes on. Teofimo again throwing late in the round. More energy from Teofimo he gets the round.
Round 7: Lopez 10-9 (Lopez 69-64)
Fight is suddenly going at Lopez pace and his footwork on display. His counter timing has been on point and his return shots remaining accurate. Taylor looking indiscipline and speeding through punches. The early aggression has gone down and Lopez in the driver’s seat.
Round 8: Lopez 10-9 (Lopez 79-73)
Right hand Teofimo, Taylor tries to time a left to return favor but misses.Teofimo shows off the dancehall moves and hits a little shimmy which draws the audience at MSG. Jumping left-hook connects, shot of the night for Teofimo.
Round 9: Lopez 10-9 (89-82)
Straight uppercut from Lopez to start and Taylor stops in his tracks, Another right hand, this time from Teofimo, a right hand followed by a straight. Taylor looking lost and slow out here. Lopez big time punching to end the round.
Round 10: Lopez 10-9 (99-91)
Lopez conserving energy to begin the championship rounds. Taylor looking all sorts of uncomfortable. The confident punches and head hunting from the early rounds has diminished. Teofimo standing tall and controlling this fight.
Round 11: Lopez 10-9 (Lopez 109-100)
Taylor comes out more aggressive yet still missing. And Taylor lands the uppercut late, may have hurt Taylor again, and may have once again taken a round as Taylor hangs on late and Lopez taunts him.
Round 12: Lopez 10-9 (Lopez 119-109)
The underdog is now the one looking like champion. Taylor out of control, has completely lost his rhythm. Lopez in control, nice head movement and using his defense to create counter opportunities. He’s head hunting, big time left hook lands on the chin of Taylor. Lopez looking to end this one in style, another punch lands up top.