‘Teofimo’s back to form’: Boxing pros react to Lopez’s win over Taylor
Teofimo Lopez delivered in a big way tonight, battering Josh Taylor en route to a clear — if too close — decision win to take the WBO 140 lb title tonight in New York.
Regis Prograis sent out a quick message of praise, and if you’re wondering if Jack Catterall — the man basically everyone felt beat Taylor 16 months — had anything to say, he did, just Tweeting out a congrats.
Teofimo’s old rival George Kambosos Jr also sent a message of congratulations, but also managed to take a little dig at Lopez’s behavior regarding their 2021 fight again.
“I’ve always loved Taylor, hell of a fighter, but Teo has got the W and it’s well deserved,” Kambosos wrote on social media. ”I’m happy for him, maybe now he can be a man, accept that styles makes fights and I well deservedly beat him with no excuses too. Congrats, Teo, it’s good to see you back with another belt.”
Former fighter turned pundit Matthew Macklin had a take that I think a lot of people may share, at least in the short-term.
“I think Lopez is a fighter that will be at his best against the best opponents, but will likely underperform in fights where he’s a big favourite,” he said. “And there are lots of guys like that. He was brilliant tonight.”
“And that’s how you reclaim your star in the business of boxing,” said promoter Lou DiBella. “Congrats to Teofimo and his entire team. They knew who was winning this fucking fight when everyone said otherwise.”
Teo did his thing tonight — Rougarou (@RPrograis) June 11, 2023
I’ve always loved Taylor hell of a fighter, but Teo has got the W and it’s well deserved. I’m happy for him, maybe now he can be a man, accept that styles makes fights and I well deservedly beat him with no excuses too. Congrats Teo it’s good to see you back with another belt — George "Ferocious" Kambosos Jr (@georgekambosos) June 11, 2023
I think Lopez is a fighter that will be at his best against the best opponents but that will likely underperform in fights where he’s a big favourite. And there are lots of guys like that. He was brilliant tonight — matthew macklin (@mattmacklin) June 11, 2023
Imagine Teo needing the last 2 rounds to WIN. I dont want to hear the "right" guy won. No way thats a 115-113 fight. Thats scary! Teo won 9 rounds and got credit for 7. — Stephen Edwards (@BreadmanBoxing) June 11, 2023
Lopez is the TRUTH!! — Amanda Serrano (@Serranosisters) June 11, 2023
Teo back to form. Love to see it. #brooklyn — Paul Malignaggi (@PaulMalignaggi) June 11, 2023
Hell of a performance by @TeofimoLopez — Andre Berto (@AndreBerto) June 11, 2023
And that's how you reclaim your star in the business of #boxing. Congrats to Teofimo and his entire team. They knew who was winning this fucking fight when EVERYONE said otherwise. #TaylorLopez — Lou DiBella (@loudibella) June 11, 2023
If Teo doesn't win round 12, that fight is officially a draw... Yeahhhh aiiiight #TaylorLopez #boxing — caleb truax (@GoldenCalebT) June 11, 2023
Dominant great performance by Teofimo, he had the smarter better fight plan and was faster and more explosive. #TaylorLopez — Teddy Atlas (@TeddyAtlasReal) June 11, 2023
Don’t like Teo as a person but he did his thing as a fighter. Turned his pain into power I can respect that. — Franchón Crews-Dezurn (@TheHHDiva) June 11, 2023
When you fighting your outside life and need to keep your mental locked in for a fight! & OVERCOME! What a feeling!
Boxing man! — Alycia Baumgardner (@alyciambaum) June 11, 2023
Source: Bad Left Hook
