Teofimo Lopez stunned Josh Taylor with a sensational boxing performance to win the WBO super-lightweight world title.
On Saturday night in New York, the 25-year-old American returned to the top of the sport and became a two-weight world champion.
Lopez comfortably beat TaylorCredit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank
You are all witnessing THE TAKEOVER 😲 #TaylorLopez pic.twitter.com/gVUHErhjp7
— ESPN Ringside (@ESPNRingside) June 11, 2023
He is now a two-weight world champion
Lopez previously reached the summit when he dethroned Vasyl Lomachenko for the lightweight crown in 2020.
However, he lost the titles in his first defence to George Kambosos Jr the following year and returned with a controversial win over Sandor Martin in 2022.
On Saturday night though, Lopez was back to his best and one notable moment came as he found his rhythm in the middle rounds.
The American star executed a remarkable leaping punch and nailed Taylor, then proceeded to dance in the ring.
The fight began with a fast start as Taylor let off combination punches and targeted his opponent’s body within the first minute.
Lopez smiled in response and picked accurate single shots.
By the end of the opener though, the challenger was left with a cut on his nose as the champion made his presence felt.
In round two, Lopez had some success keeping things at range and chose his moments to exchange with Taylor up close.
The American built on this in the third and fourth as he prevented the Scot from getting into an aggressive rhythm.
Instead, Lopez made the fight into a more technical boxing match and landed consistent clean punches when they progressed into the middle rounds.
Taylor sought to reply in round six, but found it hard to get inside past his opponent’s left hook.
As they moved past the halfway point, it was far from a vintage Taylor performance and instead starting to evoke memories of his woeful display against Jack Catterall last time out.
The 16 months of ring rust did not do the champion any favours as he missed wildly and was taunted by his challenger.
In round seven, Lopez remained in control and did not appear to fear Taylor.
The Scot started to look slightly desperate as he jumped in with leaping hooks which did not reach the American’s chin.
Taylor landed big left hooks to head and body in the eighth, but was again ultimately outboxed by Lopez, who even started dancing.
The champion looked baffled and had no answers as his challenger dominated round nine, landing consecutive hard right hands without shipping any punishment himself.
As they entered the championship rounds, Lopez remained completely in control and Taylor appeared clearly behind on the scorecards.
Taylor mounted one last desperate offence at the start of the final session, but could not keep it up and was then staggered by a counter from Lopez.
Lopez’s body shots had Taylor holding on for the final minute and there was no doubt who was victorious when the final bell rang.
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The challenger was declared the new champion by unanimous decision with scores of 115-113, 115-113, 117-111.
Michael Benson / talksport.com
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