Tonight, the lineal 140-pound title is at stake when former lineal light-weight Teofimo Lopez challenges present junior welterweight kingpin, Josh Taylor. The trash speak hit a fever pitch throughout struggle week now; all that’s left is to stroll all that speak.
Each males are coming off subpar performances of their final outing. Motivation in a 50-50 bout shouldn’t be a problem, however outdoors of the ring, stuff and psychological state might play a job. The Taylor-Lopez struggle can be proven stay on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+ at 3 a.m. BST (British Summer time Time), which is 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT within the US with a robust lead-in from UFC prelims. It’s refreshing to see such a top quality matchup again on primary cable delivering an excellent ranking, comparatively talking.
Proper off the bat, the weigh-in for this struggle does matter when choosing a winner. Having not fought since February of 2022, Josh Taylor might have some bother making the load or, at minimal, be hampered making an attempt to squeeze all the way down to 140. This can be Lopez’s third struggle on the junior welterweight division in lower than a 12 months after competing on the champion degree at light-weight. Taylor has made it identified for fairly a while that he desires to maneuver as much as 147 in an try to turn into a two-division champion. My intestine tells me they may make weight and look simply effective doing so.
A jab is pretty much as good as place to begin as any when breaking down this struggle. Each males ought to make use of it and, if profitable, keep constant by throwing it in a wide range of methods to the pinnacle, chest, and physique. Clearly, Teofimo Lopez is the extra explosive puncher, together with holding the athletic benefit over Taylor. Lopez needs to be good however not too tentative on the offensive finish. Teofimo is a wonderful counterpuncher and has a mode that permits him to strike hearth at his opponent at any time. At 140, his energy hasn’t essentially translated simply but, however this might be the struggle we see detonate.
Josh Taylor makes use of veteran craft to land quick, well timed punches up shut and skirt the road of being soiled within the clinch. Touchdown throughout exchanges and with one hand free was the important thing to victory over Jose Ramirez. That mentioned Taylor is greater than able to utilizing his footwork and ring generalship to jab, pot shot, and win rounds on the skin. The mid-range and Taylor on the best way inside ought to be in favor of Teofimo catching Taylor coming ahead with poor protection. Though many imagine that is largely Teo, each guys tend to leap-punch. Taylor can counter and time fighters as properly however Lopez’s velocity and reflexes whereas transferring his head and placing again shortly might be key in these moments.
Taylor must not solely be first however make use of his lead hand and attempt to win that small battle of this warfare. Each males are able to countering the jab as soon as once more; this boxing podcaster offers the sting to Teofimo in that division. Though Lopez can block pictures along with his lead hand, his open stance could be a weak spot mixed with a foul behavior of dropping his lead hand when he punches. Lopez leaping in whereas punching locations him in vary to be countered, particularly with hooks. Lopez can’t make the error of counting on his reflexes on offense or protection dealing with a heady boxer like Taylor.
The elephant within the room is Teofimo Lopez’s psychological state alongside along with his father remaining as the primary voice in his nook. One can’t assist to marvel if will Teo have the ability to make changes when confronted with adversity, and I don’t imply simply getting knocked down or harm. Lopez tends to struggle the best way he fights, and the shortage of creativity when it’s not working is troubling. One other apparent key for Lopez isn’t banging on the within with Taylor for lengthy parts of a spherical making an attempt to show a degree.
This struggle is manner nearer than most people within the media and followers alike imagine it to be. This boxing junkie was shocked to see the RingTV predictions article having it 20-0 for Josh Taylor. Even if you happen to don’t imagine he’ll win this hack-of-a-scribe, simply don’t see this being a one-sided struggle ending in a knockout for Taylor. The betting websites have this gorgeous near a decide’em, with Lopez sitting at +138 to +162 on Fanduel, which is excellent worth.
The space is the primary factor that can predict the end result. If Taylor can function all the best way inside or all the best way outdoors, he’ll win. If this struggle is on the midrange, Teofimo will show a number of people mistaken. A tried and true methodology of choosing winners is to go along with the boxer who has extra paths to victory. Taylor can win rounds of boxing with motion or make it a rough-and-tumble affair up shut. He’s additionally no slouch at vary, though it’s not a spot he desires to be in the entire struggle. Search for this struggle to be gained or misplaced within the later rounds.
My Official Prediction is Josh Taylor by Break up-Determination.
Facet Word: On DAZN, Munguia vs. Derevyanckenko ought to be “TV” struggle on Saturday night time. Additionally, Congratulations to Carl Froch, Timothy Bradley, and Rafael Marquez, amongst others, for his or her 2022 Corridor of Fame deserves.
Written by Chris Carlson, Host/Producer of The Rope A Dope Radio Podcast Obtainable at www.blogtalkradio.com/ropeadoperadio Observe on Twitter @RopeADopeRadio
