By: Sean Crose
There really isn’t much to be said about Saturday’s IBF junior welterweight title fight between defending champion Josh Taylor and Brooklyn’s Teofimo Lopez, except that “The Takeover” is clearly on again. While he may have won the first few rounds, Taylor was pretty much overwhelmed by Lopez at Madison Square Garden’s Hulu Theater on Saturday night. That was until Lopez decided to actually start kicking her opponents. By the time the closing bell rang, it was surprising that Taylor was still standing. Lopez’s performance was one-sided.
“I apologize as a man,” Lopez sincerely told Taylor after officially winning the match by unanimous decision (he had previously said he wanted to kill the incumbent). champion needle). “I’ve always been my worst critic,” he continued, referring to his self-analysis of his sporting achievements. One thing’s for sure – Lopez, who hasn’t really impressed anyone since a nasty win over Vasyl Lomachenko a few years ago – is back in top form. If he continues to perform as he did against Taylor, he will be a tough opponent for anyone he faces. “Congratulations Teofimo,” Taylor said graciously after the game. “I have no excuses.”
