Teofimo Lopez is attempting to make sure he doesn’t encounter any surprises within the ring in opposition to Josh Taylor.
The previous unified light-weight champion and present junior welterweight contender says he modified up his regular preparation for an opponent this time round: He “watched movie” on an opponent.
Lopez is about to problem Scotland’s Taylor this Saturday at The Theater at Madison Sq. Backyard in New York Metropolis for Taylor’s WBO 140-pound title. The 12-round bout will headline a card to be televised on ESPN.
In a current interview, Lopez indicated that he determined to assessment a few of Taylor’s previous battle—one thing Lopez says he has by no means executed previously for his earlier fights.
“I really watched movie for the primary time on a fighter,” Lopez informed Punsh Drunk Boxing. “By no means executed that earlier than. Tried one thing completely different this time. So I used to be watching movie of Taylor. I received to see sure issues. Watching patterns, watching issues that I can already dissemble on a fighter like him. So, you already know, I’m not overlooking him.”
Each fighters are coming into Saturday’s battle seeking to rectify downturns of their respective careers.
Lopez, 25, is seeking to regain the excitement he as soon as had earlier than he was upset by George Kambosos Jr. through cut up choice in 2021. Lopez’s final battle, a 10-rounder in opposition to Spain’s Sandor Martin, ended with Lopez profitable a disputed cut up choice.
Taylor, 32, is coming off a extremely controversial factors win over England’s Jack Catterall final 12 months, in a bout that was characterised as one of many greatest British boxing robberies in current reminiscence.
Lopez spoke extremely of Taylor, saying he has confirmed himself in opposition to the who’s who of the 140-pound class.
“Clearly he has the accolades,” Lopez stated. “He’s overwhelmed each prime fighter. Even Regis Prograis, Jose Ramirez, the checklist goes on and on. Jack Catterall can all the time be a query mark however they gave it to him so he’s undefeated.”
Sean Nam is the writer of Homicide on Federal Road: Tyrone Everett, the Black Mafia, and the Final Golden Age of Philadelphia Boxing.
