Teo Lopez Win Over Josh Taylor Adds to Boxing's Growing Confusing State
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 13 Jun 2023
In another supposedly defining world title fight held in New York City that nearly (again) flew under the boxing radar, former undisputed and lineal lightweight champion Teo "Takeover" Lopez decisively outpointed UK's erstwhile undefeated Josh Taylor to annex his WBO and lineal super lightweight championship.
Lopez's unanimous decision victory over Taylor came as a surprise, a shock even as the Scot had established himself as THE MAN in the loaded 140 lbs division as early as two years ago by virtually sweeping aside all the opposition that mattered including Mexico's Jose Ramirez, Regis Prograis and Russian Ivan Baranchyk for all the belts. A falling out with the sanctioning bodies after a controversial win over fellow Brit Jack Catteral however left Taylor with just the WBO title though he was then still regarded as the lineal champion.
The judges came up with cards of 115-113 (2×) and 117-111 all in favor of the power-punching Lopez as Taylor offered no excuse for the loss other than he was not his best self and the better man won that night.
But far from replacing Taylor as the main man at 140, Lopez it would appear, only adds to the growing confusion in the division and boxing in general that has been long yearning for a new real and legitimate superstar.
In another supposedly defining world title fight some weeks back that promised to quench that longing, American Devin Haney failed miserably, struggling mightily against an aging former undisputed champion Vasiliy Lomachenko--- incidentally the very man Teo Lopez unseated in 2020--- and was saved only by a generous panel of judges from losing all his lightweight belts.
Worst, that fight was even upstaged in attention generation and earnings by a non title bout two weeks earlier between Gervonta Tank Davis and Ryan Garcia, both no legit titlists but are highly ranked and extremely popular, especially in the social media.
If it is any consolation, former undefeated undisputed bantamweight king Naoya Inoue is taking on unified WBC and IBF super bantamweight champion Stephen Fulton next month in a bid to conquer another division thus giving credence that hope springs eternal for the fight sport's adherents. Actually, a Fulton win will also be big for boxing and who knows, the unbeaten American stylist may even be the man boxing is looking for.
Or perhaps, it could even be Teo Lopez who seemed to be more dedicated to his craft and career now than he became the first man to topple the then high and mighty Lomachenko.
But that would depend on what he and team decide going forward.
Will they embark on the mission to make him undisputed champion at super lightweight seeing that Josh Taylor did not progress much after achieving such?
But definitely, Teo Lopez resurgence has made the super lightweight more exciting and as or even more competitive as the best that a few other boxing divisions could offer.
Just look at the other world champions that Lopez would have to fight and beat to become not only lineal but undisputed super lightweight king in his second weight division.
The aforementioned Regis Prograis is currently the WBC titlist. His only loss came against Taylor by the proverbial skin of the teeth. Prograis in fact has the best resume (28-1-0, 24 KOs) among super lightweights outside of Taylor before his recent loss to Lopez. He became WBC champion late last year by KO11 over the highly regarded Mexican KO artist Jose Zepeda.
The next strongest possible title foe for Lopez is IBF titlist Subriel Matias of Puerto Rico who has won all his 19 victories by KO or TKO and became world champion early this year by stopping Ismael Barroso.
Possibly the easiest for Lopez would be WBA champion Rolando Romero who won the vacant crown by TKO over Jeremiah Ponce last February, a few months after losing also by TKO to Tank Davis.
Lest we forget Tank Davis is also a WBA regular belt holder at 140. A fight between Davis and Lopez would as boxing wags used to say it, a lulu!
Let us keep our hopes high that a new legitimate and real boxing superstar would emerge from the sport's highly confusing state right now.
The author Teodoro Medina Reynoso is a veteran boxing radio talk show host living in the Philippines. He can be reached at teddyreynoso@yahoo.com and by phone 09215309477.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Teodoro Medina Reynoso.
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