Josh Taylor’s upcoming bout against Teofimo Lopez in New York has the potential to elevate him to a whole new level in the eyes of American boxing fans, claims promoter Bob Arum.
Scheduled to defend his WBO light-welterweight world title against Brooklyn’s own Lopez, Taylor, aged 32, is set to showcase his skills at Madison Square Garden in the early hours of Sunday.
Arum predicts that if Taylor emerges victorious, he will finally receive the recognition he deserves in the United States.
“We anticipate that this fight will be watched by millions of households,” shared Arum, Taylor’s promoter, in an interview with BBC Scotland. “The extensive media coverage has undoubtedly generated tremendous publicity for Josh, and it will undeniably propel him to new heights.”
“Unfortunately, after becoming the undisputed champion, we were hit by the Covid pandemic. As a result, when Taylor fought Jose Ramirez, a fight that would have ordinarily sold out an arena, we were limited to only a handful of spectators due to restrictions. This setback hindered his progress and impacted the promotion of that fight.”
“Josh was, in a sense, a victim of these circumstances because his triumph over Jose Ramirez should have propelled him to a whole new level among boxing enthusiasts in the United States.”
Arum, the 91-year-old Top Rank promoter with over 50 years of experience, has been involved in legendary fights featuring renowned fighters like Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard. He draws parallels between the upcoming Taylor-Lopez clash and the iconic matchups of the past.
“This fight has a nostalgic feel to it,” Arum commented. “How can one not be excited? These two fighters are evenly matched, incredibly talented individuals who are not shy about expressing themselves. They exude immense pride in their abilities.”
“While some fights struggle to capture attention, this is not one of them. We used to witness these kinds of fights frequently, where promoters would arrange thrilling, evenly contested matchups. Such events are rare nowadays, but this fight serves as a throwback to those times.”
“Nobody can confidently predict the outcome. Even the oddsmakers are undecided. It’s an evenly poised contest, and either fighter can emerge as the victor. It’s a true pick ’em fight.”
By successfully navigating this high-stakes bout, Josh Taylor has the opportunity to establish himself as a force to be reckoned with and propel his career to unprecedented heights. Don’t miss the chance to witness this electrifying encounter between two exceptional fighters.
5 comments
Wow! Bob Arum really believes that Josh Taylor’s fight against Teofimo Lopez is going to be a game-changer. I can see his point though, a win in New York could take Taylor’s career to a whole new level in the US. Can’t wait to see these two fighters go at it!
Bob Arum, the legendary boxing promoter, knows a thing or two about hyping up a fight. And he’s not holding back when it comes to Josh Taylor versus Teofimo Lopez. He’s calling it a throwback fight, like the ones we used to see back in the day. I’m getting goosebumps just thinking about it!
It’s interesting to hear Arum talk about the challenges Taylor faced after becoming the undisputed champion. The pandemic really messed things up for many athletes, and Taylor was no exception. But this fight against Lopez is his chance to bounce back and get the recognition he deserves. Let’s hope it lives up to the hype!
I love how Arum describes Taylor and Lopez as evenly matched fighters who talk a lot and have immense pride in their abilities. It adds an extra layer of excitement to the fight. And the fact that the oddsmakers can’t even predict a winner? That’s what makes this fight a true pick ’em. Can’t wait to see who comes out on top!
Finally, a fight that doesn’t need much selling! Arum is right, these kinds of matchups are rare these days. But Taylor versus Lopez is the real deal. Two talented fighters going head-to-head, and it’s anyone’s guess who will come out as the winner. I’m counting down the days until fight night!