Teófimo López batters Josh Taylor for junior welterweight title in shocker

Teófimo López became a two-division world champion on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden after handing Josh Taylor the first defeat of his professional career in a significant upset and taking the WBO junior welterweight champion he’d held since 2021.

López took control of the fight in the middle stages, out-throwing and out-landing the former undisputed champion for lengthy stretches before flatly dominating him in the championship rounds and nearly finishing him inside the distance.

The three judges at ringside handed down scores of 117-111 and 115-113 (twice). The Guardian had it 116-112, a margin that doesn’t quite reflect the extent of the American’s dominance.

“It’s been a long time coming,” a jubilant López said. “We just beat the No 1 guy, the lineal world champion, the former undisputed world champion.”

It marked the first defeat in 20 pro fights for Taylor, two years after he became the British fighter, and only the fifth man in boxing’s four-belt era, to become an undisputed champion at any weight.

“No excuses,” Taylor said. “It wasn’t my best. The better man won tonight. I’ve got no excuses. I fought to the best of my ability. He was better than me tonight. It is what it is. Congratulations to Teófimo.”

He continued: “I thought it was a close fight. I’d love to do it again. I definitely know I’m better than that, and I know I can beat him still. I’d love to do it again. But he’s the champ, so the ball is in his court.”

More to follow.