Josh Taylor is keen on becoming a two-weight-division champion as he prepares himself to face Teofimo Lopez on June 10th, 2023.
Taylor remains undefeated, having become undisputed at welterweight, before deciding to vacate his belts following a controversial win over Jack Catterall.
While that may have been the case, Taylor’s grudge match against Lopez offers a chance to test himself against a top name.
This is despite the fact that Taylor was looking to move up to 147 lbs prior to facing Catterall. But the manner of his win, which many argued he lost, suggested he had unfinished business.
Lopez is no slouch, having been the former unified champion at 135 lbs, beating Vasiliy Lomachenko in the process.
“I could retire today, and my name would be down in the legacy books. The only undisputed champion the UK has, male anyway.
“I could retire tomorrow and say I’ve had a great career and a very successful one [but] I’d be bored in six months and say I need to get back to it.
“I know I can achieve more in the sport. For me achievement wise it’s moving up to welterweight and becoming a two-weight world champion,” Taylor
Failure to beat Lopez, however, would dent those hopes. Tougher tests would naturally lie at 147 with Terrence Crawford and Errol Spence Jr. occupying the belts.
But for now Lopez stands in Taylor’s quest for glory.