Teofimo Lopez willing to fight Josh Taylor in UK in 2023

Image: Teofimo Lopez willing to fight Josh Taylor in UK in 2023
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - AUGUST 13: Teofimo Lopez celebrates after defeating Pedro Campa, during their NABF & WBO International junior welterweight fight at Resorts World Las Vegas on August 13, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images)
By Boxing News - 10/26/2022 - Comments

By Brian Webber: Former unified lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez is willing to go to the UK to challenge WBO 140-lb champion Josh Taylor for his title if the two of them win their next fights, according to Bob Arum.

Before the Taylor-Lopez fight can happen, Taylor (19-0, 13 KOs) must win against Jack Catterall in a rematch on February 4th, while Teofimo (17-1, 13 KOs) needs to take care of business against Jose Pedraza on December 10th at Madison Square Garden in New York.

The question is whether Taylor, 31, will be willing to stay at light welterweight for one more fight to defend his WBO 140-lb title against Teofimo after his rematch with Catterall in February.

Taylor is having a hard time making the 140-lb limit, and he wants to move up to 147 to make it easier on himself to make weight. Not only will it be easier for Taylor to make weight at welterweight, but there are also more opportunities for well-paying fights.

Teofimo won’t be an easy fight for Taylor at 140, particularly if he’s drained from making weight like he was in his fight against Catterall.

It’s too early to know whether the Taylor-Teofimo fight can happen because both have tough fights. Teofimo could lose to Pedraza (29-4-1, 14 KOs) on December 10th.

“We promote Josh Taylor. We don’t promote Jack Catterall, but assuming Josh Taylor can win the fight with Jack Catterall, I’ll sit down with Josh,” said Bob Arum to Fighthype.

“I think Teofimo Lopez against Josh Taylor at 140 pounds would be terrific, and it would be a massive fight over in the UK.

“I talked briefly with Teofimo and his father, and they would be willing to go over to the UK to fight Josh Taylor. First, he has to fight Pedraza, and Pedraza is a tough out.

“He’s a really experienced pro, and he’s done very, very well, so we’ll see.

“I want to see the same intensity and the same star power that he had when he was going through the lightweight division,” said Arum when asked what he wants to see from Teofimo in his December 10th fight against Jose Pedraza.

“He was a really popular attraction because of the way he fought and how entertaining he was. So we’ll have to see how he does on December 10th at Madison Square Garden,” said Arum.