Rivals Josh Taylor and Teofimo Lopez collide in a battle to determine the best junior welterweight in the world this Saturday, June 10, from the Hulu Theater in New York.
Boxing odds slightly favor WBO champion Taylor at -175. Former lightweight champion Lopez hopes to become a two-division champion as a +145 underdog. This bout features two excellent boxers at their peak, matching Taylor’s skill against Lopez’s athleticism.
Check out our free boxing picks and predictions for the Taylor vs. Lopez fight on Saturday, June 10.
Josh Taylor vs Teofimo Lopez Jr. odds
| Method of victory | Josh Taylor | Teofimo Lopez Jr. |
|---|---|---|
| Win outright | -200 | +155 |
| Win by KO/TKO | +250 | +450 |
| Win by points or decision | +175 | +275 |
| Draw | +1,200 | +1,200 |
Odds courtesy of DraftKings as of June 8, 2023.
Josh Taylor vs Teofimo Lopez Jr. betting predictions
Picks made on June 5. Click on each pick to jump to the full analysis.
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Josh Taylor vs Teofimo Lopez Jr. betting preview
Taylor returns to the ring 14 months after a controversial split decision win over Jack Catterall. The dynamic Taylor delivered a flat performance in front of his hometown fans during that fight. That moment changed the perception of Taylor overnight. Just two fights prior he was being lauded as one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in boxing after beating Regis Prograis and Jose Ramirez.
Lucky for Taylor, those intangibles that caused the near-miss against Catterall will not be present here. Lopez is a bigger threat, and Taylor needs to be on his toes because he’ll be fighting in Lopez’s backyard in New York. Lopez has also been waiting for this fight, so we should expect a version of Taylor closer to those title-winning efforts than his recent misstep.
Taylor is a southpaw with excellent hand speed and great inside fighting. He’ll enjoy advantages in physical size, height, and reach, and Taylor will aim to restrict Lopez’s counter-punching while firing at an angle and bullying him into the ropes. Lopez tends to drop his lead hand at times and also takes ill-advised leaping shots to close the distance. That should give Taylor a chance to land that devastating southpaw straight left with great success.
Similar to Taylor, Lopez’s stock has been plummeting after hitting its peak. A 2020 upset over Vasiliy Lomachenko preceded a shocking loss to George Kambosos. That's when an out-of-sorts and listless Lopez was dropped and mauled on his way to defeat. He's failed to impress during his recent showings at junior welterweight.
Lopez's win over Pedro Campa via TKO preceded a controversial split decision against Sandor Martin. Those fights lacked the confidence, brashness, and physical assertiveness Lopez displayed when he shut down Lomachenko. In fact, Lopez openly questioned whether he still had “it” after the Martin fight, which is never a good sign before a career-defining bout.
If he rights his ship, then Lopez possesses the tools to trouble Taylor. Lopez is great at using his footwork to set traps, and he owns excellent counter-punches that can flatten his opponents. If Lopez can remain composed, he'll find that Taylor gives him a picture-perfect opportunity for a counter shot, as he tends to pull straight back with his hands to his waist.
Josh Taylor vs Teofimo Lopez Jr. boxing prediction and best bet
Prediction: Josh Taylor
Based on what we've seen, Taylor is likely closer to his better form than Lopez. He won't make the mistake of underestimating his opponent.
This was always going to be a hard fight for Lopez. Expect Taylor’s work rate and superior inside fighting to carry the day and lead to another defeat for Lopez.
Prediction: Taylor moneyline (-185 at DraftKings)
Best Bet: Taylor by decision
Taylor should get off to a hot start, preventing Lopez from building an early lead. Once Lopez starts to mount a comeback, he's sure to make a few costly tactical errors that will play into Taylor’s hands. A late knockdown might seal the deal for Taylor, who will prevail by decision.
Prediction: Taylor to win by decision (+175 at DraftKings)
