Josh Taylor warns Teo Lopez he'll 'beat some sense' into him as he vows to shut loudmouth 'space cadet' up

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