Josh Taylor held back by NYPD police during face-off with Teofimo Lopez
Josh Taylor stopped by NYPD police during confrontation with Teofimo Lopez after labeling his super lightweight rival a ‘clown’ during press conference leading up to Madison Square Garden fight
- The NYPD was called to separate Josh Taylor and Teofimo Lopez on stage
- Security was heavy and the toughest officer of them all stood stern between them
- Promoters Top Rank dispensed with the usual face-to-face photos
The NYPD was called upon to keep Josh Taylor and Teofimo Lopez apart at least half a stage when they first entered the same room on Thursday.
Security was heavy and the toughest officer of them all stood sternly between them for a quick shot. No star down. No pushing. A few long-range truncated insults.
Promoters Top Rank waived the usual face-to-face photos after some highly charged comments between the pair in the media leading up to this weekend’s fight at Madison Square Garden.
A statement ahead of the media event read: âInstead of a traditional confrontation, a layer of security will separate the combatants. Extra security has been hired due to the intense pre-fight rhetoric between the two fighters.â
After a question-and-answer session with the event’s host, a burly police officer entered the stage, flanked by guards on either side, and put his arms around Taylor several times to prevent the Scotsman from approaching American Lopez.
The NYPD was called upon to keep Josh Taylor and Teofimo Lopez at least half a stage apart
Security was heavy and the heaviest officer of them all stood sternly between them (above)
Taylor and Lopez will battle it out at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night
Challenger Lopez, 25, stated last month that he liked the thought of being able to kill in the ring and get away with it, prompting Taylor to warn: ‘Let’s see who ends up in the back of an ambulance’ during their WBO super-lightweight title fight.
When asked at yesterday’s media conference if his comments reflected genuine animosity, Lopez said, “It is what it is. I speak my truth. That’s how I feel. Everything I say, I just try to live up to.’
When asked the same question, Taylor, who unified the division before giving up several titles, said, âIt’s kind of real. I also say what I mean. There’s a bit of genuine disgust there. He has been disrespectful.
âMany words he has said, I am going to make him pay on Saturday. I can’t wait to get in and get in between him.”
Ring magazine belt holder Taylor later labeled Lopez, a former lightweight world champion, a “clown” after quoting Mike Tyson and calling for him to make his own statement.
Lopez, dressed in a white suit with no shirt, replied, “Aim for death, for that is where life begins.”
âEveryone is afraid of death. I do not know why. We all die, but if I die, at least I die for something that means something. That’s gonna take forever. It’s what greats are all about. “Something you don’t really know.”
Taylor, wearing a Scottish football top, was quickly assaulted by the police officer and joined on stage by six security guards as he walked over to talk to his opponent during the photo shoot.
The fight will start around 04:00 UK time on Sunday morning.