Josh Taylor has dismissed Teofimo Lopez’s claims to be the undisputed lightweight champion ahead of a potential clash between the pair.
Taylor defeated Jose Ramirez two weekends ago to claim all four major belts, and he has since discussed another high-profile fight before he considers retirement.
There are a few options on the cards, including his WBO mandatory challenger Jack Catterall. He has also said he wants to move up to 147lbs to face Terence Crawford.
He may wait for Lopez to move up to super lightweight.
Speaking to The Scotsman, the 30-year-old Scot ran through his options.
“I could also spend my entire career at 140-pounds. I’m not in a rush to go up to 147. I’m making the weight comfortably,” he said.
“But, me being me, I’m very ambitious. I now want to become a two-weight world champion. And that would be me really cementing my place in the history books. I’m an ambitious fighter and that’s what I want to do, keep setting new goals.”
Lopez has entertained the idea of moving up to face Taylor, though claims he would not head over to Scotland for the fight.
However, Taylor believes Lopez must first address the discrepancy of his claims to be undisputed champion of the lightweight division.
While the 23-year-old American holds belts from all governing bodies, his WBC is the ‘Franchise’ title taken from his victory over Vasiliy Lomachenko last year.
The regular WBC champion is Devin Haney, who this weekend secured a win over Jorge Linares in perhaps his most exacting fight yet.
"Lopez is saying that he’s an undisputed world champion when he isn’t – he only has three of the belts. He still has business to take care of at lightweight but he’s obviously just bumping his gums because he wants the big fights, which is understandable. If that happens, it happens," Taylor explained.
"I’d happily take the fight and cut him down to size. I’d bring him down to earth with a bang. I genuinely think I’d beat him up if we ever meet but I’ve no real interest in Teofimo Lopez. How they can have the audacity to say I’m scared of him is... it’s just a joke."