BOXING
Josh Taylor vs Teofimo Lopez: odds and predictions
Although sportsbooks currently favor Josh Taylor, considering their form, the outcome of the upcoming match between him and Lopez is still unpredictable.
This Saturday, the 12-round boxing match between undefeated champion Josh Taylor and former lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez will take place at New York City’s legendary Madison Square Garden. The fight will be the headline event of the pay-per-view main card, starting at 10 p.m. ET.
Follow live the clash between Josh Taylor & Teófimo López
Josh Taylor, who previously held all four belts as the unified light-welterweight king, decided to vacate the three to pursue exciting matchups instead of being bound to mandatory challengers. This has led him to face off against rising star Teofimo Lopez, who has been vocal about his ambition to move up in weight class and vie for more titles.
In addition to the high stakes of the match, the winner will be recognized as the division’s top fighter by Ring Magazine, adding an extra layer of prestige to the already thrilling encounter.
Josh Taylor vs. Teofimo Lopez: odds
In a match held in Scotland last February, Taylor (19-0, 13 KOs) managed to retain his unified light-welterweight championship through a split decision. Despite being knocked down by his opponent, Jack Catterall, Taylor was declared the winner, leaving many spectators dissatisfied with the judges’ decision. Nevertheless, Taylor is known for his strong left hand and aggressive fighting style.
On the other hand, Teofimo Lopez (18-1, 13 KOs) has already achieved significant success at just 25 years old. The Brooklyn native claimed the IBF lightweight title in December 2019 and became a household name after his upset victory over Vasiliy Lomachenko in October 2020. Despite being an underdog, Lopez unified the lightweight championship. Lopez has recently increased his weight category, and in his previous fight, he narrowly escaped with a split decision against a substitute fighter named Sandor Martin and, in the aftermath, admitted that he had underestimated his opponent.
According to sportsbooks, Taylor is the likelier winner with odds of -210, making him the favorite in the upcoming match. Meanwhile, Teofimo Lopez, the up-and-coming boxer from Brooklyn, is considered the underdog with odds of +162. Those who support Taylor will need to bet $210 to win $100, while Lopez’s supporters can win $162 for every $100 wagered if he manages to win.
Josh Taylor vs. Teofimo Lopez: predictions
Despite their past accomplishments, both fighters face significant uncertainties in their upcoming showdown at the Hulu Theatre in Madison Square Garden, New York City.
Taylor, undeniably talented, has been inactive for a prolonged period and narrowly escaped defeat in his last bout. Many observers believe he should have lost that fight, which adds further intrigue to his upcoming clash with Lopez. On the other hand, Lopez has shown signs of decline in recent matches, appearing as a diminished version of his explosive former self in two out of his last three fights. Should he choose that strategy, Taylor must remain mindful of Lopez’s punching power, particularly on the inside.
Taylor will have the upper hand despite his extended hiatus from the ring. Therefore, we predict that the safest bet is for Taylor to win by decision. The longer the fight goes, the greater the advantage for Taylor, who possesses the skills and resilience necessary to secure a victory through the scorecards.