Teofimo Lopez asked one of his drivers a question shortly after a meager performance in a decisive win over Sandor Martin in December: “Do I still get it?”
He answered his own question on a larger stage on Saturday night.
Lopez is credited with performing during her career at the Madison Square Garden Theater in New York, beating the previously undefeated Josh Taylor to a unanimous decision and claiming Taylor’s 140-pound WBO belt.
The official scores are 117-111, 115-113 and 115-113. Boxing Junkie had it 116-112 for Lopez, eight innings to four.
PASSED.@TeofimoLopez | #TaylorLopez pic.twitter.com/Tj9tr69pBG
– Top boxing (@trboxing) June 11, 2023
The 25-year-old from Brooklyn posed a familiar question shortly after the decision was announced, though this time he had a grin on his face.
“I just have to ask you one thing and one thing only: “Do I still get it?” The crowd responded by cheering on their hometown son, who has now won the main belt in the second division.
Taylor and Lopez – who currently have the same record, 19-1 (13 KOs) – both enter the fight with a lot to prove.
The Scotsman had an inconsistent performance against Jack Catterall last February, the first time he’d slipped after a stellar run to the top of the table.
Lopez made a big splash when he beat weight king and 135-pound champion Vasiliy Lomachenko in 2020 but lost the title to George Kambosos in his first defense and has been in decline ever since.
Taylor fought the first innings on Saturday as if he were back to his old self, delivering some of the cleanest shots of the game as the principals judged each other. His body work is particularly efficient.
By the fourth round, however, Lopez had found his rhythm and began to dominate the game. It is clear that he is at least as good as his 32-year-old opponent technically but much faster and more athletic.
Lopez became a sharp ADC mid-game, landing quickly, hitting shots consistently and using his sharp reflexes and IQ to avoid a lot of retaliation.
And it just got worse for Taylor as the fight progressed. Until the 12thlame pants and in the final round, Lopez was up against an elite opponent who was on many weight lists just two games ago.
It was a remarkable performance, one that allowed Lopez to regain the position he lost in the defeat to Kambosos.
Taylor couldn’t say much after that.
“No excuses,” said Taylor, who now says he’s probably moving to 147. “Listen, the better guy won that night. I fought to the best of my ability. … Congratulations Teofimo. I think it was a close fight. 117-111 that too [wide].
“I would love to do it again. I know I can beat him. He’s the champion, though. The ball is in his court.”
Lopez suddenly had a lot of leverage again. And there are lots of options.
140-pound WBC champion Regis Prograis, who lost to Taylor, could be the hottest potential opponent. Subriel Matias and Rolando Romero also have titles. And other elite 140-pounders like Jose Ramirez and Alberto Puello lurk.
Lopez was asked in the post-match interview what he wanted to do next.
“My next battle is really in court for my son,” said Lopez, who is separated from his wife. “It really is my next battle. I’m not really focused on who I’m going to fight next.”
Lopez then looked into the camera and said with a smile, “Dear my son Liam. Dad loves you very much. I told you, ‘punchies, punchies, punchies.’”
There will be more punches for Lopez’s opponents later on.
