Josh Taylor Vs. Teofimo Lopez On The Cards As Jack Catterall Rematch In Doubt

Top Rank is reportedly aiming to put together a championship bout between Josh Taylor and Teofimo Lopez, thus putting a rematch with Jack Catterall in doubt, although an agreement has not yet been finalized.

Taylor (19-0, 13 KO) has not been in the ring since his extremely contentious split-decision victory over Catterall in 2022, a win that enabled him to keep his undisputed status, which is now limited to just the WBO belt.

Initially, Taylor had made plans to move up to welterweight after beating Catterall, but instead took his time to vacate three of his titles.

Consequently, the focus shifted to staying in the 140lb division for a rematch with Catterall, with the WBO title on the line. It was initially expected to take place in November last year but was then rescheduled to February and then again to March 4th, 2023.

Top Rank is planning a Josh Taylor-Teofimo Lopez 140-pound title fight this May or June in the U.K., sources told @MikeCoppinger, but no deal has been signed.

Taylor was set to meet Jack Catterall in March, but the bout was postponed after Taylor suffered an injury last month. pic.twitter.com/GpctwvrK0b

— ESPN Ringside (@ESPNRingside) February 10, 2023

Unfortunately, the date was once again postponed when Taylor suffered a foot injury. With Boxxer scheduling Catterall’s comeback on March 25th, 2023, so that he doesn’t stay inactive indefinitely, Top Rank is working on setting up a match between Taylor and ex-lightweight champion Lopez (18-1, 13 KO).

Taylor and Lopez have been hostile towards each other for some time, regularly exchanging barbs. In the most recent incident, Lopez promised to knock Taylor out before he obtained a debatable split-decision victory over Sandor Martin.

Lopez-Taylor Predictions

Speaking to Sky Sports, Lopez said: “I’d tear him up, from the body to the head, he’s not going to know which one I’m going to hurt him with. A lot of people would like to see me take on Josh Taylor, and I’ve been calling him out.

“Especially to do it out there in the U.K., I really want to experience that. … I actually will put him down better than what Catterall did. He won’t come back up, that’s all I can tell you.”

Taylor, though, has complete assurance that he will emerge victorious in the battle.

“He is a very good, very skilled fighter, but I do believe that on my night I take him to bits. He’s a bit of a clown. He seems to look past his opponents all the time. It’s twice he’s made the same mistake and almost paid the price for it again.”