Josh Taylor Vows To Make Teofimo Lopez Pay For His ‘Kill' Comments

Josh Taylor has vowed to inflict punishment on Teofimo Lopez after the latter threatened to kill him in the ring.

The duo face off on June 10th, 2023, as Taylor puts his WBO belt on the line. There has been plenty of bad blood in the build up to this fight.

Taylor had walked out of an interview with Lopez, as the latter was left to face the media alone. But this time around, Lopez caused some controversy when he stated that would take Taylor’s life.

"This is a kill or be killed sport. I mean someone just passed away [on] May 6th, a kid 22 years old just passed away. And I said it like it is, I wanna kill Josh Taylor," Lopez

And yet, this was just the start. When Lopez was asked to apologize for his remarks, the American refused to do so. Instead, Lopez doubled down on his remarks, inciting the feud even further.

"If he dies, he dies. People have died in the sport. It’s what comes with it. People are saying it’s because of the kids. You’re all about the kids, so you shouldn’t promote it.

"Killing a man or not killing a man is part of the territory you sign up for," Lopez

Those comments did not sit very well with Taylor, who is the former undisputed super-lightweight champion. As such, the Scot has set his sights on punishing Lopez.

"It’s part and parcel of the game, it’s all smoke and mirrors. I don’t react, but he will pay for his words on fight night. I’m going to give him a good beating," Taylor

The sentiment on social media was one of outrage, given that the boxing community has seen fighters pass away.

After all, Filipino boxer Kenneth Egano passed away only in May this year after suffering an injury while fighting on a card promoted by Manny Pacquiao.

Social Media Response

Josh will stop him before the 8th. If he thinks @JoshTaylorBoxer has no heart he’ll get a shock! I think Josh will show everyone exactly how elite he is

— G (@Thetrut54051138) May 30, 2023

He gets worse with every interview you’d hope he would just stay quiet until fight night now..

— Sweet Pugilsm (@DreamsR4Real999) May 30, 2023

We seem to have crossed a line in our society in general with no statements out of bounds in all endeavors. People say we are in politically correct times but it’s the opposite. This comment is an example. Not in any way appropriate. Not the way to “promote” a fight.

— Al Bernstein (@AlBernstein) May 30, 2023