Former undisputed super-lightweight champion, Josh Taylor, walked out of his interview with Teofimo Lopez ahead of their scheduled fight in New York this weekend, after engaging in a stream of back-and-forth trash talk.
Taylor held all four belts in the 140lb division until he vacated three of his titles in an attempt to push for a rematch with Jack Catterall, who he controversially defeated last year.
Now, with Taylor postponing his move up to welterweight, he returns to the ring to defend both his unbeaten record and WBO belt against former unified lightweight champion, Teofimo Lopez.
In media duties aired on the Top Rank YouTube channel, Taylor grew frustrated with his controversial opponent and ended the interview early after Lopez spoke of acting with humility and grace.
“For everybody tuning in, thank you guys. To all my fans, all my friends and to all the children out there that are seeing this and really want to become something in the sport, this is what it takes. Not just the trash talk but backing it up, putting everything on your back and carrying it, not with pride, but with humility and with grace.”
‘The Tartan Tornado’ had ‘enough of listening’ to his opponent and removed his mic before walking away from the cameras.
“This guy is so mentally insecure. I’m going to cement all the mental insecurities that he has got and he’s going to be retired.
I’ve had enough of this guy. I’ve had enough of listening to you! You keep waffling on, talking a lot of s***, I’m offski. See you on June 10th, wee man.”
Josh Taylor and Teofimo Lopez will settle their differences in the ring on June in The Theater at Madison Square Garden, in what has now developed into a grudge match between the pair.