Josh Taylor – Syndication Server

Teofimo Lopez, ’26 years young’, insists that he’s only getting started

Teofimo Lopez, “26 years young”, insists that he’s only getting started as he prepares to face Jamaine Ortiz on Thursday in Las Vegas.

Teofimo Lopez has packed a lot of ups and downs into his last five fights.

Up: The 140-pound titleholder stunned the boxing world when he outpointed pound-for-pound king Vasiliy Lomachenko to become the 135-pound champion and an overnight star at 23 years old in October 2020.

Down: He lost his titles by decision to George Kambosos Jr. in his first defense 13 months later, although we later learned he fought with a dangerous health condition.

Up: He bounced back to stop Pedro Campa in his first fight at 140 in August 2022.

Down: He struggled against clever, but limited Sandor Martin in his next fight that December, rising from a knockdown to win an unconvincing split decision.

Up: He gave a performance that rivaled his victory over Lomachenko, taking down previously unbeaten Josh Taylor by a unanimous decision to become a 140-pound titleholder and reestablish himself as a major force in the sport.

Lopez (19-1, 13 KOs) said the rollercoaster ride has allowed him to grow as a fighter as he prepares to defend his belt against Jamaine Ortiz on Thursday in Las Vegas (ESPN, ESPN+).

“I’ve been to the top before at 135, beating the most decorated fighter at the time (Lomachenko),” he said at the final news conference before the fight. “Nobody wanted to face him. Now we’re back again. I beat the guy nobody wanted to fight again (Taylor).

“So, I’ve looked it as I’ve gained it, lost it, and I’ve gained it back again. I know what it takes to be great, which means to respect the ring and respect what it means to be a champion.”

And Lopez will remind you that he’s only 26.

That means he has many big fights in his future, assuming he doesn’t endure too many more “downs.”

He would like to unify titles at 140, a plan that could include a showdown with fellow pound-for-pounder Devin Haney. And he has called out 147-pound champion and current pound-for-pound king Terence Crawford, which could be his ultimate challenge.

He acknowledges Crawford’s sublime ability but points out that “Bud” is 36, an age when mortal fighters typically are beyond their peak ability. That, he believes, makes that fight winnable.

In effect, by calling out the best in the business, he’s putting all the top fighters in and around his weight on notice. He’s convinced that his impressive victories over Lomachenko and Taylor are only a prelude to greater accomplishments.

“This is only the beginning for me,” he said. “I’m 26 years young. I’m not even in my prime yet.”

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Teofimo Lopez, ’26 years young’, insists that he’s only getting started

Teofimo Lopez, “26 years young”, insists that he’s only getting started as he prepares to face Jamaine Ortiz on Thursday in Las Vegas.

Teofimo Lopez has packed a lot of ups and downs into his last five fights.

Down: He lost his titles by decision to George Kambosos Jr. in his first defense 13 months later, although we later learned he fought with a dangerous health condition.

Up: He bounced back to stop Pedro Campa in his first fight at 140 in August 2022.

Down: He struggled against clever, but limited Sandor Martin in his next fight that December, rising from a knockdown to win an unconvincing split decision.

Lopez (19-1, 13 KOs) said the rollercoaster ride has allowed him to grow as a fighter as he prepares to defend his belt against Jamaine Ortiz on Thursday in Las Vegas (ESPN, ESPN+).

“So, I’ve looked it as I’ve gained it, lost it, and I’ve gained it back again. I know what it takes to be great, which means to respect the ring and respect what it means to be a champion.”

And Lopez will remind you that he’s only 26.

That means he has many big fights in his future, assuming he doesn’t endure too many more “downs.”

He acknowledges Crawford’s sublime ability but points out that “Bud” is 36, an age when mortal fighters typically are beyond their peak ability. That, he believes, makes that fight winnable.

“This is only the beginning for me,” he said. “I’m 26 years young. I’m not even in my prime yet.”

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Regis Prograis believes he’s a better fighter after suffering loss

Two-time 140-pound champ Regis Prograis believes he’s a better fighter after suffering a loss to Josh Taylor in 2019.

Regis Prograis has a chance to be a bigger star than ever.

The talented native of New Orleans was a hot commodity when he stepped into the ring to face Josh Taylor in a 140-pound title-unification bout but walked out with his first loss – by a majority decision — and a damaged reputation in 2019.

However, he bounced back by winning three consecutive fights to earn a meeting with Jose Zepeda for a vacant belt and won by 11^th-round knockout to become a two-time champ last November.

And now comes arguably the biggest fight of his career: He is scheduled to defend his title against former undisputed 135-pound champ Devin Haney on pay-per-view Saturday at Chase Center in San Francisco.

He says the setback against Taylor made him a better fighter.

“I’ve tasted defeat and frustration,” Prograis told The Guardian. “I’ve been in a locker room after I lost and never want to go back there again. When you taste failure, it makes you much stronger. Devin’s never had failure so it’s hard to know how he will react.

“So far he’s been winning but when it gets really hard on Saturday he could potentially fold.”

Yes, Prograis is confident even though he’s about a 3½-1 underdog to Haney (30-0, 15 KOs). He went so far as to predict a knockout when he spoke to members of the media at a work out in Los Angeles.

Then, the 34-year-old figures, he’ll finally realize the potential he seemed to have before the Taylor fight. He expects to replace Haney on pound-for-pound lists after he has his hand raised in victory Saturday night in Haney’s hometown.

“I’m going to whoop Devin Haney’s ass. And I’m going to be pound-for-pound at the top,” Prograis said.

Then he wants only big fights.

He would love a rematch with Taylor to avenge the loss but the Scot has moved up to 147 pounds. That means he’ll target the best remaining in a deep division, guys like Teofimo Lopez, Subriel Matias, Rolando Romero, Ryan Garcia and the rest.

“All I want now at this stage of my career is the big pay per view fights. That’s it,” Prograis said. He went on: “I want big fights. There are bigger fights than a Josh Taylor rematch. Personally, I want it. But business wise, there are bigger fights.”

First he must win the big fight on Saturday.

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Regis Prograis believes he’s a better fighter after suffering loss

Two-time 140-pound champ Regis Prograis believes he’s a better fighter after suffering a loss to Josh Taylor in 2019.

Regis Prograis has a chance to be a bigger star than ever.

However, he bounced back by winning three consecutive fights to earn a meeting with Jose Zepeda for a vacant belt and won by 11^th-round knockout to become a two-time champ last November.

He says the setback against Taylor made him a better fighter.

“So far he’s been winning but when it gets really hard on Saturday he could potentially fold.”

“I’m going to whoop Devin Haney’s ass. And I’m going to be pound-for-pound at the top,” Prograis said.

Then he wants only big fights.

First he must win the big fight on Saturday.

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Jack Catterall easily outpoints Jorge Linares, calls out Josh Taylor

Jack Catterall easily outpointed Jorge Linares and then called out Josh Taylor on Saturday in England.

This is Jack Catterall’s time, not Jorge Linares’.

Catterall outclassed the 38-year-old former three-division titleholder en route to winning a unanimous decision in a 12-round 140-pound fight Saturday in Liverpool, England, near Catterall’s hometown of Chorley.

The official scores were 117-111, 116-112 and 116-112.

Linares (47-9, 29 KOs) showed signs of the boxing prowess of his past but couldn’t keep pace with Catterall, who outworked him and landed a higher percentage of his punches.

Catterall (28-1, 13 KOs) landed 149 of 390 punches overall, Linares 82 of 312, according to CompuBox.

The 30-year-old winner lost a disputed split decision to then titleholder Josh Taylor in February of last year, which was followed by a one-sided decision over Darragh Foley this past May.

After his victory Saturday at Echo Arena, Catterall didn’t call out one of the four 140-pound beltholders. He wants to avenge his loss to his Scottish rival.

“[Josh] Taylor, where are you? S—house,” Catterall said when he was asked who he wanted to face next.

Added Eddie Hearn, Catterall’s promoter: “There’ll be no respect against Josh Taylor. For me, I want to see Jack Catterall vs. Josh Taylor in 2024.”

Jack Catterall easily outpoints Jorge Linares, calls out Josh Taylor

Jack Catterall easily outpointed Jorge Linares and then called out Josh Taylor on Saturday in England.

This is Jack Catterall’s time, not Jorge Linares’.

The official scores were 117-111, 116-112 and 116-112.

Linares (47-9, 29 KOs) showed signs of the boxing prowess of his past but couldn’t keep pace with Catterall, who outworked him and landed a higher percentage of his punches.

Catterall (28-1, 13 KOs) landed 149 of 390 punches overall, Linares 82 of 312, according to CompuBox.

The 30-year-old winner lost a disputed split decision to then titleholder Josh Taylor in February of last year, which was followed by a one-sided decision over Darragh Foley this past May.

After his victory Saturday at Echo Arena, Catterall didn’t call out one of the four 140-pound beltholders. He wants to avenge his loss to his Scottish rival.

“[Josh] Taylor, where are you? S—house,” Catterall said when he was asked who he wanted to face next.

Added Eddie Hearn, Catterall’s promoter: “There’ll be no respect against Josh Taylor. For me, I want to see Jack Catterall vs. Josh Taylor in 2024.”

Jack Catterall motivated by facing former three-division beltholder Jorge Linares

Jack Catterall said he’s motivated by facing former three-division beltholder Jorge Linares on Saturday in England.

Jorge Linares is 38 and has lost three consecutive fights but his name carries weight.

That fact has served to add to the motivation of 140-pound contender Jack Catterall, who is scheduled to face Linares on Saturday at M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, England (DAZN).

Also, the former three-division titleholder from Venezuela has been a thorn in the U.K.’s side: He’s 4-0 against British fighters, with victories over Kevin Mitchell, Anthony Crolla (twice) and Luke Campbell.

“When I was given the name Linares it kicked me into action,” Catterall said at a news conference Thursday, per the BBC. “… He’s an exciting name. He’s been there, done that and got the T-shirt.”

Catterall (27-1, 13 KOs) gave a strong performance in a disputed split-decision loss to then-titleholder Josh Taylor in February of last year, after which a proposed rematch failed to materialize. He

He ended up putting Darragh Foley down twice and easily outpointing him on May 27, his most recent fight.

The 30-year-old from Northern England is ranked in the Top 7 by all four major sanctioning bodies, which means another title shot could come soon if he continues to win.

“I set out in this sport to be world champion,” he said. “We’ve not achieved that yet but I do believe it’s in my ability. … [Linares] has had his time in the sun, now it’s my time.”

Meanwhile, Linares (47-8, 29 KOs) said his reunion with trainer Ismael Salas pumped life into his training camp. He insists he isn’t finished.

“This is different time, different day, different opponent. I’m coming to fight an undefeated fighter,” he said. “For me, he’s a world champion and he never lost the fight to Taylor.”

He went on: “I’m feeling like 20 years old,” he said. “I come from three losses but I don’t care too much as a lot happened in my life, this is not new.”

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Jack Catterall motivated by facing former three-division beltholder Jorge Linares

Jack Catterall said he’s motivated by facing former three-division beltholder Jorge Linares on Saturday in England.