Josh Taylor dismisses Teofimo Lopez showdown after defeat to George Kambosos

The undisputed super-lightweight king has dismissed the challenge of rival Lopez after he was defeated by shock mandatory challenger Kambosos earlier this month

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Josh Taylor slams Teofimo Lopez as he talks next fight

Josh Taylor has snubbed the possibility of facing Teofimo Lopez after he lost his lightweight titles in a recent defeat to George Kambosos.

The ‘Tartan Tornado’ is preparing to face his own mandatory challenger in Jack Catterall who he will face in Glasgow on February 26 next year.

Meanwhile Lopez had previously spoken of challenging Taylor after his battle against Kambosos but he fell to shock defeat which has left his future in jeopardy.

Taylor has now dismissed the possibility of facing Lopez, branding it “nonsense” due to Lopez’s new lack of titles to offer.

“Nonsense,” Taylor told Pro Boxing Fans in response to the challenge from Lopez.

“He can come up to 140, but he’s not getting the fight with me. He got beat up by George Kambosos. So what right does he have to come up and challenge me?

“He’s not got anything to offer on the table at 140 so what’s the point? Plus I would beat him up anyway, give him a good beating.”

The comments were made in response to the offer from Lopez who had previously claimed he wished to fight Taylor in a weight switch to 140lbs.

He later reiterated the claims after his recent defeat admitting his prior plans to leave the lightweight division irrespective of the result.

“We’re going to go up to 140lbs, get a fight in February, and then fight Josh Taylor,” Lopez’s father told Seconds Out. “This doesn’t change anything.”

Lopez and Taylor have previously exchanged words with the former lightweight champion previously casting doubts on a bout with Taylor in the UK.

Taylor won his belts in historic fashion against Jose Ramirez earlier this year to become the first British star to be a four-belt undisputed champion.

The Scottish star will first defend his belts against Catterall in a delayed meeting after he suffered a knee injury during training.

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Catterall stepped aside to allow Taylor’s previous tilt with Ramirez, but is prepared to cause an upset on enemy turf next year.

But Taylor is not willing to overlook Catterall with challenges coming from Lopez and welterweight star Terence Crawford.

“Jack is a very good fighter,” Taylor said. “He’s 26-0 and has been knocking on the door of world titles for a few years now.

“He has worked hard to achieve these goals, and my job is to make sure he doesn’t get anywhere near them.

“Everybody is already asking me about what’s next. They’re overlooking Jack, but me and my team are not doing. We know he’s a dangerous fighter and talented. We’ve seen fighters in recent history look past their opponent and it goes wrong.

“I’m not talking about what’s next, I’ve got to get past Jack first. He has got my full attention and focus. I’m excited to be back in Scotland, and it will be my first time boxing at home since May 2019.”