Teofimo Lopez in shocking Josh Taylor threat as he declares he wants to KILL champion in New York WBO title fight

Teofimo Lopez has shocked the boxing world by claiming he wants to KILL Josh Taylor in the ring.

The two go head-to-head for Taylor’s WBO light-welterweight title in the Theatre at Madison Square Garden on June 10 – and the heat has already been cranked right up. New Yorker Lopez, a former world lightweight champion, hasn’t had a convincing performance since his wide points win against Vasiliy Lomachenko for the WBA, WBO and IBF belts in October 2020.

However, he lost his titles to George Kambosos Jr in November 2021. Moving up to the 140lb division, he was unimpressive in victories over also-rans Pedro Campo and Sandor Martin last year. Now his controversial comments could lead to disciplinary action for the 25-year-old, who’s seven years younger than Taylor.

“I said it like it is - I want to kill Josh Taylor,” he insisted. “What the f*** does that mean? Well, let’s get back to boxing: that is boxing. You’re probably going to lose your life. What does that mean? This is what we sign up for. If I’m going to die in the ring, I went out like a champ. Boxing today is the gladiator days.”

Lopez reached back to his win against Lomachenko, possibly in an attempt to boost his confidence ahead of meeting Taylor, who should be stronger than the American.

“When I fought Loma, I took his heart, especially in the 12th round when I said, ‘Come on,’ and he pulled back,” he claimed. “Taylor ain’t got no heart so what can I take from this man? His life. And the only way I’m going to make a statement is by doing that, and I’m not sorry about that. How do I put fear in people’s eyes? Take a man’s life. I don’t care. This is the sport I’m in.”