By Jim Calfa: Josh Taylor says he spotted fear in the eyes of former lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez today during their head-to-head at the final press conference in New York.

Despite the two fighters being kept far apart by heavy-set security, IBF 140-lb champion Taylor (19-0, 13 KOs) states that he saw fear in the face of Teofimo (18-1, 13 KOs), who he thinks is understands what he’s up against on Saturday, and what he stands to lose career-wise if he’s beaten.

Taylor will defend his IBF light welterweight title this Saturday, June 10th, on Teofimo’s home turf at the Hula Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York.

The card will be shown on ESPN, ESPN+, and ESPN Deportes at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

Teofimo has seemed off his rocker a little bit during the build-up to this fight, which could be interpreted as a sign of worry. It’s clear that Teofimo, a reflective person by nature, has thought a lot about what could happen to him if he loses to Taylor.

“The security and staff were a little bit overboard, way overboard, in my opinion. I’m a professional. I’m not going to lift my hands until Saturday night,” said Josh Taylor to Fight Hub TV about the wall of security staff that kept him and Teofimo Lopez apart today during their face-off at the final press conference.

“So, it was way, way overboard, but I just wanted to get up close to him and really see them and sort of get a little chat with him,” Taylor continued.

“There is no lie in the eyes. They don’t lie when you’re looking at someone’s eyes, and you see the look a little bit of nervousness and a little bit here in his eyes,” said Taylor about seeing fear in the eyes of the former IBF, WBA & WBO lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez during their face-off.

“So yeah, the eyes don’t lie. I know he’s a little bit nervous. He puts on a great front and looks like he’s confident, and call himself double-breast and all that nonsense.

“I know he’s nervous, and I know he’s up against it, but that’s what you need as a fighter, and that’s what makes you perform at your best. So I’m up for that; I’m preparing for the highest level. I know he’ll be up for it, and I’m preparing for the highest level,” said Taylor.