The Weekender

In the early hours of Sunday morning (UK time) a proud Scotsman will again stride into a boxing ring in Madison Square Garden, New York City, USA.

Josh Taylor (19-0, 13 KO’s) from Prestonpans, near Edinburgh, clad in Tartan shorts and robe, will hope to rekindle the spirit of former undisputed world lightweight champion Ken Buchanan who captured the hearts of the ‘Big Apple’ some fifty plus years earlier. It will be a throwback to a bygone era when Scotland ruled some of the boxing waves.

Buchanan sadly passed away earlier in the year and has always been, and continues to be an inspiration to Taylor, and most fighting Scots. It will be an emotional entrance to the ring.

Taylor meets Teofimo Lopez (18-1, 13 KO’s), a New York born fighter with Honduran heritage, and a former undisputed world lightweight champion who is now entering his third fight at the higher weight class.

The fight will take place in the basement of the ‘big house’ in the smaller venue known as The Theatre, but the stakes are high. It’s essentially a crossroads fight between two elite boxers. Lopez was top of the tree a mere three years ago, sensationally capturing the undisputed 135lb (9st, 9lbs) title from much decorated Ukrainian, Vasiliy Lomachenko and announcing his “Takeover”. He became the young poster boy of boxing at the time. Now only age 25 it will his motivation to return to that lofty status.

Taylor, aged 32, is ranked #7 in The Ring magazine pound-for-pound ratings and was the undisputed junior-welterweight champion after then being systematically stripped by the many sanctioning bodies or relinquishing belts due to injury related inactivity and failing to defend against their mandatory contenders within specified timeframes. He defends his WBO version and The Ring championship tonight.

‘The Tartan Tornado’ Taylor, has a few points to reaffirm. One, that he continues to be an elite fighter after near 16 months out of the competitive ring following a poor showing, and some consider loss, against England’s Jack Catterall in his last outing. Two, that his narrow points victory was merely a ‘blip’ and if victorious tonight that he is the real king at the weight despite other spurious ‘champions’. As a consequence, that he has big fights ahead.

The 10 stone (140lbs) division is still competitive but has slipped in the reckoning largely due to Taylor’s inactivity. However, there are elite lightweights moving up and he should have plenty of additional opportunity to shine, let alone make big money.

Finally, and importantly, he will cement the legacy of Scottish superiority and ‘machismo’ and will back up his pre-fight bravado and secure the legacy of Scotland’s fighting men. No pressure then.

Both combatants were decorated amateurs representing their countries in successive Olympics – Taylor for GB in London 2012 and Lopez for Honduras in Rio 2016. Neither medalled, but Taylor took gold in the Glasgow Commonwealth Games two years on from London.

So what can we expect ? Both have many qualities; are strong, technically sound, have KO power and, believe they should be at this level. There’s been much posturing and friction in the build up to fight night, with Taylor exuding supreme confidence in his ability and a need to positively bounceback from the Catterall showing. Lopez has been goading Taylor by his attitude and dismissal of the Scot. This reached a hiatus in yesterday’s weigh-in when Taylor was 139.8 and Lopez 140 exact.

Both have good jabs and knockout power. Taylor brings in a southpaw stance to counter Lopez’ orthodoxy. The Honduran challenger has been disappointing in his two outings at the weight but has renewed motivation. A poll of media in The Ring magazine favoured Taylor by 21-0, with most predicting a unanimous points victory after 12 rounds. This is likely, but not a true reflection of the closeness of their career and achievements to date. We see the fight closer than this throughout, possibly with knockdowns, but ultimately see Taylor victorious too, but by late stoppage.

The full event is promoted by Top Rank and will be shown in the UK on Sky Sports and ESPN+ in the USA. It promises much. Enjoy !