Josh Taylor vs Teofimo Lopez Jr.

Josh Taylor and Teofimo Lopez headlined a Top Rank Boxing event, called Taylor vs Teo: Cross the Divide, in one of the biggest fights in a super lightweight division this year. The event took place at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY, on June 10, 2023.

SYNOPSIS

---

Josh Taylor defended his WBO Super Lightweight Championship(or Junior Welterweight) against Teofimo Lopez in his return to the boxing ring after more than a year. Former Unified Champion at Super Lightweight Division, Taylor was setting up to fight Jack Catterall in a rematch. Taylor beat Catterall in their first meeting in February 2022 by a close split decision(114-112, 113-112, 112-113). However, many pundits and fans gave the fight to Catterall as Taylor suffered a knockdown in the eighth round of that fight.

Taylor vacated IBF, WBA and WBC titles from the division after that fight. The rematch between Catterall and Taylor was booked for March in Scotland but was canceled after Taylor suffered a foot injury in training. When he became fit, Taylor was instead ordered by WBO to face Teofimo Lopez. Taylor had no problem taking on what was considered a bigger fight in the division against Teofimo Lopez.

Lopez himself was a former unified champion in the lightweight division. He lost his unified titles to George Kambosos Jr. in November 2021 in an upset. He had since moved up to super lightweight division and had secured wins over Pedro Campa(round 7 TKO) and Sandor Martin(split decision). With a win here, Lopez could become a two-division world champion. But was he able to beat an unbeaten Taylor?

UNDERCARD

---

Main Card

• Josh Taylor(c) vs Teofimo Lopez Jr., 12 rounds bout for WBO Juniors Welterweight World Championship
  • Teofimo Lopez won via unanimous decision(115-113, 115-113, 117-111)
• Xander Zayas vs. Ronald Cruz, 8 rounds, WBO North American Super Welterweights
  • Xander Zayas won via unanimous decision(80-71, 80-71, 80-71)

Prelims Card

• Robson Conceicao vs Nicolas Polanco, 10 rounds, Junior Lightweight
  • no contest
• Omar Rosario vs. Jan Carlos Rivera, 8 rounds, junior welterweight
  • Omar Rosario won via unanimous decision(77-75, 77-75, 77-75)
• Helaman Olguin vs. Damian Knyba, 8 rounds, heavyweight
  • Damian Knyba won via unanimous decision (79-73, 79-73, 79-73)
• Bruce Carrington vs. Luis Porozo, 8 rounds, featherweight
  • Bruce Carrington won via TKO in round 8
• Henry Lebron vs. Carlos Ramos, 10 rounds, Junior Lightweight
  • Henry Lebron won via unanimous decision(97-91, 98-90, 98-90)

TALE OF THE TAPE

---

Boxer Name	Josh Taylor	Teofimo Lopez Jr.
Role	Champion	Challenger
NickName	The Tartan Tornado	The Takeover
Age	32	25
Height	5′ 10″	5′ 10″
Country	United Kingdom	United States
Reach	69.5 “	68.5 “
Stance	Southpaw	Orthodox
Record	19-0	18-1
KOs	13	13