By Robert Segal: Prime Rank promoter Bob Arum says Teofimo Lopez is the “brisker fighter” than Josh Taylor for Saturday’s combat. Taylor, 32, is older than the 25-year-old former unified light-weight champion Teofimo and hasn’t been coddled in the identical means by his promoters by way of mushy match-making.
(Photograph credit score: Mikey Williams/Prime Rank by way of Getty Pictures)
Though Taylor (19-0, 13 KOs) has solely been knowledgeable fighter for one 12 months longer than the seven-year professional Teofimo (18-1, 13 KOs), he’s fought far harder competitors. Josh has had wars towards these fighters:
Regis Prograis
Jose Ramirez
Ivan Baranchyk
Viktor Postol
Jack Catterall
In distinction, Teofimo’s hardest fights have come towards this smaller group:
Vasyl Lomachenko
Sandor Martin
George Kambosos Jr
Masayoshi Nakatani
Taylor has fought a variety of guys in powerful fights, however he’s carried out what he wanted to for him to get the victories. It’s truthful to say that Taylor’s combat towards Prograis in 2019 put a variety of put on & tear on him, as he was fairly overwhelmed up on the finish.
It’s fascinating to notice that Lomachenko fought with one good arm towards Teofimo, and nonetheless got here near beating him. Lots of people thought Sandor Martin was given a uncooked deal towards Teofimo final December at Madison Sq. Backyard.
“No, it’s what it’s. I don’t see any nervousness in both man. Each are consummate professionals, and I feel it’s going to be a terrific combat on Saturday,” stated Prime Rank promoter Bob Arum to Battle Hub TV when requested about Teofimo Lopez trying nervous for the Josh Taylor combat.
“Effectively, that’s actually a bonus for Josh Taylor, no query
about it,” stated Arum in regards to the expertise that Taylor has. “Whether or not it’s the important thing to victory, we’ll should see. I imply. so far as Teofimo is worried, he’s clearly the brisker fighter.”
“He by no means stated that is his final combat with Prime Rank. His contract is for 3 extra years, and he by no means stated that. He stated it’s the final combat with ESPN. Effectively, he’s in no place to say that as a result of Prime Rank has an unique take care of ESPN, and he’ll combat with no matter community we need to put the combat on, and that might be ESPN.
“Tim Bradley was a terrific fighter, he’s an incredible commentator, he’s an actual asset to our telecast, and if Teofimo doesn’t like what Tim Bradley is saying, let him reveal that within the ring together with his opponents. Let him, for instance, look spectacular with Josh Taylor, and Tim will change his thoughts.
“Let’s watch this combat, and we’ll make our dedication after,” stated Arum when requested if Devin Haney might combat the winner of Saturday’s combat between Taylor and Teofimo.
“We all the time sit down with the fighter, supervisor, and coach after the combat, and we’ll get him the very best combat.
“It’s simply discuss; it’s nonsense. I imply, why would I dignify it with a remark? It’s ludicrous, so I’m not going to even remark,” stated Arum when requested about his ideas on Teofimo saying he needs to take Taylor’s life on Saturday.
