Josh Taylor has warned Teofimo Lopez he plans on “beating some sense” into the Brooklyn bampot when they square off in New York tonight.
The pair will go at it at Madison Square Garden with Taylor’s WBO light-welterweight and Ring magazine belts on the line. But the bad-tempered build-up has been dominated by the reaction to loudmouth Lopez’ crass death threat claim. Last week, Taylor opted to walk out of a joint interview hosted by American TV broadcasters after growing bored of his opponent’s bizarre trash-talk.
And at Thursday’s press conference, the Tartan Tornado was left rolling his eyes again as his American rival suddenly dreamt up this baffling motto: “Aim for death for that's where life begins.” Now Taylor has told Lopez he plans on putting an end to his nonsense. He said: “He’s always going off on one. 'Aim for death'? It doesn't even make sense! He’s an absolute space cadet.
"I don't even bother talking to him. I need to beat some sense into him. The programme that we were on where you saw me getting up and going, he went on for 40 minutes and I'd had enough.
“I decided I couldn’t listen to this guy so I’m away. That show had to be heavily edited!”
Taylor also had a pop at his rival’s father, Teofimo Lopez Sr, after being heckled throughout the press conference. He said: “And his dad, he’s another one. He’s Krusty the Clown. I’m looking forward to shutting them all up.”
Lopez was left looking sheepish at yesterday’s weigh-in when he was forced to strip off to squeeze under the 140lbs limit. Taylor’s supporters roared with delight and chanted “You fat b*****d”as the organisers had to produce a towel to protect his modesty.
Reigning champion Taylor had no such problem, brushing off the weight issues he had ahead of his controversial win over Jack Catterall last time out as he came in at 139.8lbs.
Meanwhile, ring legend Ricky Hatton has backed Taylor to put the bite on Lopez in the Big Apple. The Hitman said: “I think Taylor will be able to handle the pressure of a fight at Madison Square Garden. He’s been in some good fights.
“Lopez is a great fighter and these are the type of fights that the sport of boxing needs. This is a big fight. We need more of these. We need Tyson Fury to fight Anthony Joshua or Oleksandr Usyk to fight Joshua.”
Hatton - himself a former light welterweight champ - made just his second ever professional appearance on a bill at MSG. And he believes tonight’s showdown will be a special evening for Taylor.
Speaking to Gambling Zone, he said: “As a professional boxer, you want to tick all the boxes.
“It’s like, if you’re a world-class footballer, you’d want to test yourself in the legendary leagues at the legendary stadiums. Any top boxer wants to fight in Vegas, the Garden, Atlantic City, you want to have the opportunity in your career.
"Taylor will soon be able to tick off Madison Square Garden. That is something that is very special.
“When I fought there, I was only 18, but despite my young age, I knew the history of the place and I warmed to it. Taylor will be thinking about the magnitude of the event, and I think he’ll warm to it – he will handle the pressure of fighting there. You dream of fighting on those stages and he’ll be ready for it.”
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