By Eóin Kennedy: The narrative across the Josh Taylor vs. Teofimo Lopez light-welterweight world title combat in New York tomorrow evening is definitely unusual, to say the least.
Scotsman Taylor has by no means been overwhelmed, and the challenger, Brooklyn’s personal Lopez, has solely misplaced as soon as in a profession that has seen them each change into undisputed champions at totally different weight lessons (Lopez was undisputed in every little thing however identify because the WBC ridiculously created the franchise belt for the Vasiliy Lomachenko combat). However, whereas the report books say each Taylor and Lopez are coming off wins, the followers beg to vary.
It’s over a 12 months since Taylor defended his undisputed world title in Glasgow, Scotland, in opposition to Jack Catterall, and the overall consensus was that Taylor was resoundingly overwhelmed that evening, however after twelve rounds, the judges noticed one thing totally different and awarded the combat to the hometown champion.
Again in October 2020, when the world was nonetheless gripped by the Covid pandemic, Lopez did the unimaginable and defeated Lomachenko, a fighter that was at the moment considered among the finest pound-for-pound boxers on the earth, however since then, we now have seen him lose these belts in a warfare with George Kambosos, and very like Taylor, many followers really feel that Lopez misplaced his final combat in opposition to Sandor Martin, regardless of getting the nod from the judges.
The style wherein each fighters emerged from their controversial final fights has definitely had an affect on the hype and marketability of this combat.
Earlier than the Catterall combat, Taylor was vastly revered throughout the sport for the style wherein he grew to become the undisputed light-welterweight champion in solely eighteen fights and the way he was keen to combat powerful, undefeated fighters with out fuss. However the fallout from the Catterall combat has definitely broken the Scottish fighter’s model, as he was adamant that he gained the combat and went on the offensive verbally in opposition to Catterall within the following weeks and months.
To his credit score, Taylor did comply with a direct rematch with Catterall, and a date was set, however between Taylor selecting up an damage, Catterall altering promoters, and the WBO ordering the champion to defend his world title in opposition to Lopez, that combat has been shelved for now.
Whereas Lopez’s marketability has been tarnished in an identical method to Taylor’s, the best way he has gone about his self-destruction has been totally totally different. Taylor did act a bit irrationally in response to the fall-out of his final combat, however, in his protection, it was the judges that screwed Jack Catterall out of the undisputed world title in Glasgow that evening, not Josh Taylor, and his response, although fiery and excessive, might be a part of the make-up that has made him such an unimaginable world champion already.
Lopez, however, might have been a sufferer of believing his personal hype after conquering Lomachencko, however at simply twenty-three years of age on the time, that may be forgiven. What followers are discovering extra unforgivable is that Lopez continues to be rambling on with unusual and misguided diatribes about how he’s the best of all time alongside Muhammed Ali, how he desires to kill Josh Taylor on Saturday (which is past deplorable since loss of life can and does happen within the boxing ring) and that his promotional firm, High Rank, and their broadcasting accomplice, ESPN, favor black fighters.
Lopez has had some private points which have spilled into the general public area, and whereas it’s no person’s enterprise aside from his personal, the unusual habits and feedback from Lopez appear fairly totally different from the persona he had earlier than the Lomachenko combat, which has commentators commenting on whether or not his present psychological state is one that’s presently suited to changing into a world champion once more.
Lopez’s coach and father, Teofimo Sr., additionally hasn’t carried out his son any favors along with his erratic habits and claims which might be extra delusional than his son’s, and most boxing consultants have said that Lopez must ditch his dad from his nook, or at the very least get a longtime coach in to help and regular the ship.
Each champion and challenger have been seen because the golden geese of High Rank’s steady not too way back, however what would have been seen as a blockbuster combat only a 12 months or two in the past is now flying below the radar a bit bit and is even free to air on ESPN somewhat than their pay-per-view platform the place fights of this magnitude normally sit.
Probably the most damning indictment of a combat that after would have been categorized as a super-fight is that it’s happening on the Hulu Theatre at Madison Sq. Backyard somewhat than the larger, extra hallowed room on the world’s most well-known enviornment. This truth proves that each fighters’ inventory has fallen fairly a bit, however it’s extra worrying for Lopez, who hails from the close by borough of Brooklyn.
There is no such thing as a prize greater in boxing than a world title, however on Saturday evening, it appears like Josh Taylor and Teofimo Lopez are each combating for one thing greater; redemption and respect as soon as once more from the followers which might be the lifeblood of the game. Whatever the end result, one man will go away New York Metropolis as world champion on Saturday evening, and that man could have choices going ahead. For the defeated fighter, deep soul-searching will ensue.