Still got it: Lopez dominates, takes Taylor’s title

NEW YORK — Teofimo Lopez reminded the world he’s still an elite fighter with a vintage performance on Saturday night, a dominant unanimous-decision victory over Josh Taylor to capture the WBO and lineal junior welterweight championship at The Theater at Madison Square Garden.

The scores were 115-113, 117-111 and 115-113 for Lopez, who became a two-division champion at 25 years old. Lopez was nearly a 2-1 underdog after three disappointing performances, including a defeat to George Kambosos in ESPN’s 2021 Upset of the Year when he lost his four lightweight titles.

But now, Lopez is once again back on top amid chaos in the lead-up to the fight. During an ESPN feature interview, Lopez engaged in a heated argument with his father and trainer, Teofimo Lopez Sr., and talked openly about a custody battle for his son.

The son of immigrants from Honduras, Lopez vowed to not allow it all to distract him, and he delivered in spectacular fashion.