Teddy Atlas is backing Teofimo Lopez to emerge victorious when he aims to become WBO champion at 140lbs later this month.
Lopez will enjoy home advantage when he welcomes Josh Taylor to New York City on June 10, and Atlas, one of boxing’s most opinionated analysts, believes the former lightweight champion can get the job done.
Both fighters enter the fight in mediocre form following a spell of bouts where neither man can be happy with their performances.
Taylor was fortunate to retain his world titles against Jack Catterall last year whilst Lopez has looked flat in his since defeating Vasiliy Lomachenko in 2020, which includes a loss to George Kambosos the following year.
“The naturally, more talented guy, as far as pure, natural talent, that would be Teofimo,” said Atlas when speaking on The Fight podcast.
“That doesn’t mean that he is going to win, that doesn’t mean that you are going to be the better guy, because that talent has to be properly developed.
“Part of me wants to say Taylor, he is undefeated still, even though he might not deserve to be. But it is over here, it’s not across the pond where Taylor is from, it’s over here, I’m going to say Teofimo.”