NEWS: TOP RANK PLANNING TO MATCH JOSH TAYLOR AGAINST TEOFIMO LOPEZ IN EARLY SUMMER

By: Jay Calderon 

According to Mike Coppinger of ESPN, sources have indicated that Top Rank Promotions is planning to stage a Jr. Welterweight contest pitting titlist Josh Taylor against former Lightweight world champion Teofimo Lopez.

While details have yet to be released and nothing has been made official, the fight has a projected date sometime between May and June, and would take place in the United Kingdom.

Initially, Taylor was to open his 2023 campaign with a return bout against Jack Catterall. However, with date changes and injuries suffered by Taylor, the Fight has yet to materialize. In their initial encounter back in February of last year, Catterall surprised many by pushing Taylor to his very limit, before losing a highly-controversial decision. While the return was Jack's moment to set the record straight, it appears as though he may have to wait for another moment in time.

Lopez, after losing his gold at 135 pounds to George Kambosos in 2021, has made two appearances at 140 pounds. Most recently, similar to Taylor, Lopez won a close, somewhat controversial decision over Sandor Martin back in December of last year.

While both have looked suspect in recent performances, a bout between the pair would certainly help answer some questions and set the winner back on track.

Nonetheless, it should be stressed that details are still unclear and nothing has been finalized.

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