Taylor And Sunny Out To Make Statements

Two of Britain’s most talented, and certainly most talked about, fighters take centre stage this weekend as they look to push the case that they are their division’s kingpin. 

Josh Taylor and Teofimo Lopez will light up the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York for a 140lb belter. 

Taylor and Teo really is the blending together of two very contrasting characters. Sure, both have their fair share to say, but they do it with the idiosyncrasies that sum up the difference between a Brit, and those across the pond. 

If he thinks you’re a c***, Taylor will call you exactly that. Whereas Lopez has the archetypal brash Yank persona - the ‘double greatest’ he claims, still acknowledging heroes of the past. 

There is truth to some of what Lopez says. Boxing should admire the dog inside him. He fears no obstacle. But perhaps things haven’t quite played out how he expected since his win over Vasyl Lomachenko in 2020.  

I’m sure Lopez and team imagined that the 25-year-old would be sitting on a throne of adoration. The face of boxing even. Instead, he seems to be verging on self-indulgent insanity. 

The mental block has been similar for Taylor too. The win over Jack Catterall may well have worked more to his advantage as a defeat, considering the backlash the former undisputed champion faced. 

This makes Saturday evening in New York all the more important, and potentially even more interesting, as the lights shine bright on two men who are gunning for victory. 

Taylor undoubtedly has the size, skill and experience at 140lbs to deal with Lopez who, I imagine, will approach the champion with the same regard he did Lomachenko. 

Lopez needs to gain the respect of Taylor, or he will quickly realise he is in for a hard night’s work. These are the type of fights where, if things unravel, on the biggest of stage, it can get very ugly. 

It is a truly brilliant contest. 

Sunny Edwards makes his Matchroom debut this weekend, with world title defence number four against 15-0 Andres Campos. 

It has been a case of ‘if you can’t get them, join them’ for Edwards, who has long expressed a desire to unify at 112lbs, with Matchroom-promoted pair Julio Cesar Martinez and Jesse Rodriguez in the crosshair. 

But first, he must pass Chilean Campos at Wembley Arena. 

Campos, like many before him, has vowed to knockout Edwards. However, he, like those, may find himself chasing shadows. 

And that’s doing the ability of Campos no disservice.

Because when it comes to Edwards, we are talking about at a grade A fighter. This is a man who doesn’t lack for ability, showmanship, and least of all confidence - so much so that he gets irritated by the multiple claimants to the division’s number one spot. 

Now, he is in the right place to solve his problem. But first, Saturday night, and time to make a statement. 

Boxing is back, baby! 

Oscar Bevis