Boxing Tonight: Taylor vs. Lopez Fight Results & Scorecards

By Boxing News - 06/11/2023 - Comments

Former lineal and unified lightweight boss Teofimo Lopez (19-1, 13 KOs) claimed the WBO and Ring Magazine junior welterweight world championships. He secured a unanimous decision victory over Josh Taylor (19-1, 13 KOs), the erstwhile undisputed champ.

In the initial rounds, Taylor, the 32-year-old Scotsman, found his range, landing body shots and straight lefts. But soon, the tide turned. By the third and fourth rounds, Taylor started to wilt under the force of Lopez’s blows.

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The fight’s tempo eased up, paving the way for Lopez to deliver his knockout punches. By the halfway mark, the fight swung decisively in Lopez’s favor. Taylor seemed lost, struggling to maintain his distance.

The bout ended with a bang as Lopez unleashed his offense, reminding everyone of the dominance he showcased in the lightweight division.

Securing the win with 115-113 2x and 117-111, the Brooklyn-born 25-year-old is now a two-division lineal world champ.

“Taylor’s tough, no doubt about it,” Lopez acknowledged. “He’s beaten some serious opponents. But I believe I outsmarted him. I feel I did enough. This sport’s all about proving yourself.”

Opening the Puerto Rican Day Parade celebrations, junior middleweight sensation Xander Zayas (16-0, 10 KOs) took to the ring. The young prodigy defended his NABF and NABO belts in style, dominating Ronald “Diablo” Cruz (18-3-1, 12 KOs) across eight rounds.

Zayas set the tone with a counter right in the opening round that sent Cruz to the canvas. Zayas kept his cool, methodically working off his jab, and mixing in combos.

The California-born Cruz, who’s never been KO’d, maintained a high guard but was outclassed both up close and at a distance. The judges’ unanimous scores of 80-71 confirmed Zayas as the winner.

There were plenty of other highlights. A headbutt resulted in a no contest ruling in a fight featuring Brazilian Olympic gold medalist Robson Conceicao (17-2, 8 KOs). Omar Rosario (11-0, 3 KOs), Puerto Rico’s pride, secured an eight-round victory against countryman Jan Carlos Rivera (8-2, 6 KOs).

Damian Knyba (12-0, 7 KOs), the undefeated heavyweight hopeful from Poland, outclassed Mexico’s Helaman Olguin (9-6-1, 4 KOs). Brooklyn native Bruce Carrington (8-0, 5 KOs) snagged an eighth-round TKO against Luis Porozo (16-7, 9 KOs).

In a southpaw showdown, Puerto Rican ace Henry Lebron (18-0, 10 KOs) secured a 10-round unanimous win against Spanish veteran Carlos Ramos (17-3, 10 KOs).

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Image: Boxing Tonight: Taylor vs. Lopez Fight Results & Scorecards