Taylor vs Lopez predictions & tips with 11/1 boxing accumulator

Josh Taylor returns to the ring this weekend with a tough clash against former lightweight king Teofimo Lopez at the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York.

If this match-up had been made a few years ago it would be huge as both fighters are former undisputed champions, but both enter Saturday’s showdown with a point to prove.

This is Taylor’s first outing since a contentious decision victory over Jack Catterall in February 2022, while Lopez was perhaps lucky to get the decision in his last fight against Spain’s Sandor Martin in December.

I’ve covered the main event and have also put together an 11/1 accumulator covering the undercard for the big fight in The Big Apple this weekend.

Where to watch Taylor vs Lopez

This title fight will take place at Madison Square Garden in New York on Saturday, June 10.

The main card is due to begin at around 1am BST on Sunday in the UK with the ringwalks for the main event expected to start at around 4:30am.

Taylor vs Lopez will be broadcast on Sky Sports in the UK.

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Who is on the Taylor vs Lopez undercard?

• Josh Taylor vs Teofimo Lopez – main event
• Henry Lebron vs. Carlos Ramos
• Jamaine Ortiz vs. Humberto Galindo
• Robson Conceicao vs. Nicolas Polanco
• Omar Rosario vs. Jan Carlos Rivera
• Damian Knyba vs. Helaman Olguin
• Bruce Carrington vs. Luis Porozo
• Xander Zayas vs. Ronald Cruz

Taylor vs Lopez prediction

If the same version of Taylor that lost to Catterall turns up he will lose this fight, but the Tartan Tornado has stressed that was a one-off and he seems fully focused on the task in hand.

The best version of Taylor should be able to cope with Lopez, who has now had three ultimately disappointing fights after a sensational win over Ukrainian star Vasyl Lomachenko in 2020.

The Brooklyn-native unified the lightweight division with that win but then lost to George Kambosos Jr in his first defence. Laboured performances against Pedro Campa and Martin have followed, and he has just as much to prove as Taylor at the Garden on Saturday.

The Takeover is an excellent counter-puncher and likes to use his jab to open up opportunities to unload, but Taylor has the skillset to cope with those tactics. The Scot is an aggressive boxer himself who fights on the front foot and as Taylor has both a height and reach advantage here he can get his career back on track with a win after around 16 months out of the ring.

Both fighters have stressed they expect to win by stoppages but neither has ever been stopped before and this one looks likely to go the full 12 rounds, so I’m expecting a Taylor win by Decision or Technical Decision.

11/1 Boxing Accumulator

Josh Taylor to win by Decision or Technical Decision
Vs Teofimo Lopez

Over 5.5 rounds
Xander Zayas vs Ronald Cruz

Xander Zayas is unbeaten with 15 wins in as many outings, 10 of which have come via stoppages. He should be able to extend that winning run against over Ronald Cruz over 10 rounds but an early finish looks unlikely. Zayas has needed the judges in two of his last three victories and Cruz is a tough competitor who only has two defeats on a 21-fight record – and he is yet to be stopped. As such, over 5.5 rounds looks a good option.

Jamaine Ortiz to win by Decision or Technical Decision
Vs Humberto Galindo

Jamaine Ortiz suffered a first professional loss against Lomachenko last time out and takes on Humberto Galindo in his comeback fight. Ortiz is a level above the 23-year-old but the Technician has failed to stop any of his last four opponents, so a win by decision stands out.

Henry Lebron to win by Decision or Technical Decision
Vs Carlos Ramos

Puerto Rico’s Henry Lebron has a perfect record with 17 wins in as many fights and he can extend that run to 18 against Carlos Ramos. Five of his last six wins have been points wins and Spain’s Ramos has never been stopped, so take Lebron to win by decision.