List of All Articles with Tag 'epgb sports'

Jude Bellingham will join Real Madrid from Borussia Dortmund this summer after the Germans announced a deal in principle worth €103 million (£88.5m) plus add-ons. The German club, who missed out on the Bundesliga title to Bayern Munich after a heartbreaking final day of the season, confirmed the terms on the club website. The statement outlined how the add-ons could rise to 30 percent of the fixed amount. The 19-year-old will now undergo medical tests and agree personal terms with the Spanish giants. The England star joins Real’s collection of young midfield stars, including Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde. Read More Real Madrid agree deal to sign England’s Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund Why has Saudi Arabia become big player in world sport and what does future hold? Al-Ittihad confirm Karim Benzema deal after striker’s Real Madrid farewell

Leo Messi has agreed a deal in principle to join Inter Miami, in what could represent a first defeat for the burgeoning Saudi Pro League's new era. The Argentine great had huge offers from both since the conclusion of his contract with Paris Saint-Germain, but it is understood he is being swayed by the prospect of a legacy in the United States, as well as his family's preference to live in the Florida city. Also of attraction were a prospective deal with Apple, who are huge broadcast backers of Major League Soccer. There is an argument that Messi could prove a transformative figure for the competition in the guise of Pele in the 1970s, although now where football is fast becoming the USA's fourth most popular sport, and ahead of the hosting of the 2026 World Cup. The Argentine's plan is currently to play in that and defend the trophy. That hasn't totally locked out the possibility of eventually playing in the Saudi Pro League and there was still a certain nervousness in Inter Miami that no deal is done until it is signed. The Messis have told those in Saudi Arabia that, even if they go with MLS now, they would be willing to return to negotiations in future. The 35-year-old has already faced criticism as regards "sportswashing" for being an ambassador for Saudi Tourism. Read More Why has Saudi Arabia become big player in world sport and what does future hold? Where might Lionel Messi go next after Paris St Germain spell ends? First Lionel Messi, now Sergio Ramos – Veteran defender waves goodbye to PSG

First, Chris Billam-Smith was raised aloft. As Shane McGuigan hauled his fighter’s hulking frame into the air, for the adoring mass of fans to see, the cruiserweight’s face vanished behind his gloves. Somewhere under the battered leather, his left eye – swollen half-shut – closed completely. So did the right, trying to trap the tears. Inevitably, the dam broke. The stream washed away his sweat, while his bawls were drowned out by the flood of noise around him. Then, the cruiserweight sank to his knees, all 6ft of him reduced to the stature of a boy who once dreamt of this very moment. Or rather, this meshing of moments. To a young Billam-Smith, fighting in front of a sold-out crowd at the home of his beloved AFC Bournemouth would have represented a dream fulfilled; so would winning a world title. Doing both on the same night? If that plays like a scene from a Hollywood blockbuster, then it is the kind of moment that one would deride for stretching our suspension of disbelief a fibre too far. Boxing is not Hollywood. Boxing does not provide fairytale endings. Boxing is unforgiving, and cruel. But if any boxer has earnt a mote of kindness from this sport, it is Billam-Smith. It was granted in the form of his decision win over former teammate Lawrence Okolie last month, but it should not be taken for granted. Nor could it have been when “112-112” was the first scorecard to boom over the PA at Dean Court. “I remember listening and thinking... like frowning,” Billam-Smith, 32, tells The Independent, with stitches still hovering over his left eye. “I wasn’t really listening to the [other] scores, but I just knew it was obviously a majority decision. If I had listened, I think I would have known [I’d won] because obviously one of them was a 107, and that couldn’t have been me because I had no points deducted and wasn’t knocked down or anything. Obviously I was just waiting for them to say ‘and new’. He said it, and a wave of emotion came over me. I was just thinking, ‘I’ve done it.’ I just couldn't believe it. It was such... it’s been such a long journey.” As Billam-Smith knelt in the ring, his face soaked in tears, his mother came to his mind. Dedicating his victory to her, Billam-Smith revealed in the ring that she is battling cancer. “Obviously at the moment, with my mum being unwell and stuff,” he tells The Independent, “for it to be all worth it and worth all the hard graft put in over the years, the years of not earning any money as an amateur and even early on as a pro – not earning a huge amount of money and scraping by at times... To finally to do it and achieve my ultimate dream of winning a world title at the stadium, it was just... You can’t really put it into words to be honest with you. “I had so many reasons to win; I had 15,000 people there that I couldn’t let down, my mum, my wife, my son. I was never going in there without giving it 100 per cent, because of all those reasons. And obviously for myself as well, with the growth through the years. Yeah, my mum obviously was a huge part of that as well.” So was Billam-Smith’s son, Frank, as he says. “Having to miss my son’s first birthday the day before the fight, that’s a completely different emotion. It’s weird; he has no idea what’s going on, doesn’t know that I missed his birthday – thankfully – to stand half-naked in front of loads of people at Bournemouth pier. You know, it’d be amazing for him to grow up and hopefully be proud of his dad.” These various factors, and the emotional weight loaded into each of them, had to be put aside for the sake of performance; so did the sense of occasion around fighting at Dean Court. “On the Friday, I went and sat in my old season-ticket seat and just looked at the set-up,” says Billam-Smith. “I was like, ‘This is crazy.’ The ring-walk rehearsal was very important for me to visualise how everything was going to be, so it wasn’t overwhelming and I wasn’t like, ‘Oh my God, this is actually happening.’ [During the actual ring walk], there’s a point where I sort of look around and just nod to myself. Like, I’m still very much in the zone and focused and staying calm, but I thought: ‘This is awesome.’ “[In the fight], I very much had blinkers on. All the visualisation helped. I was very calm in the ring and the whole time in the build-up, just thinking about those 12 rounds and how I was going to react – making sure I reacted logically to every situation.” Billam-Smith did just that, capping off an eclectic trilogy of fights across the last 11 months. First, there was his war with Isaac Chamberlain, which ended as a points victory in Billam-Smith’s favour, then his knockout-of-the-year candidate against Armend Xhoxhaj in December, before this often-bitty bout with Okolie. The 12 rounds against Okolie will not be what fans remember from this particular night, however. They will remember the aftermath – the stirring scenes of a dream being realised in real time. “Now it’s about creating another dream,” says Billam-Smith, looking ahead to the future. “You know, I’d love to fight in Las Vegas, but most importantly I need to secure my family’s future financially. And I’m not the finished article as a boxer. “In any sport I’ve ever played, I’ve always just wanted to give it 100 per cent and improve. That’s still the same me now.” Lorton Entertainment’s“STABLE”, a four-part documentary series covering Shane McGuigan’s work with his fighters, will be released this Autumn. Read More Leigh Wood and Chris Billam-Smith win world titles with victories over familiar foes How a unique night of action could lay groundwork for future super-fight ‘I could kill a guy and get away with it’: Teofimo Lopez is treading a disturbing path through boxing How unique night of action could lay groundwork for future super-fight Leigh Wood and Chris Billam-Smith win world titles with victories over familiar foes Boxxer’s Ben Shalom: ‘I sacrificed my twenties, I sacrificed absolutely everything’

West Ham United stars will be hoping to write their names into club history on Wednesday, when they face Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final. The likes of Declan Rice and Michail Antonio are aiming for the first major trophies of their careers, while as a club the Hammers are hoping to end over four decades of waiting to see silverware lifted with their ribbon colours attached. Fiorentina finished in the top half of Serie A this season so will present a huge test - West Ham came 14th in England - but La Viola have themselves gone more than 20 years without a big trophy too. In Prague, one of those clubs will end their long waits and their fans will have a celebration for the ages; the other will be left to wonder what might have been, and have to get ready to do it all again next year. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the final. When is the match? The final kicks off at 8pm (UK) on Wednesday 7 June. Where can I watch it? The match will be shown live on BT Sport 1 and BT Sport Ultimate. It can also be streamed on the BT Sport website, BT Sport app and BT Sport YouTube channel. What is the team news? Gianluca Scamacca misses the final after having knee surgery but otherwise, the Hammers should have a full squad to choose from. For Fiorentina, it’s goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu who will miss out, while Nicolas Gonzalez needs a late check to see if he can start. What are the predicted lineups WHU - Areola, Kehrer, Aguerd, Zouma, Cresswell, Rice, Soucek, Bowen, Paqueta, Benrahma, Antonio FIO - Terracciano, Dodo, Martinez, Milenkovic, Biraghi, Amrabat, Mandragora, Ikone, Gonzalez, Bonaventura, Cabral Odds West Ham 37/20 Draw 11/5 Fiorentina 37/20 Prediction The Hammers to bring home a long-awaited trophy. West Ham 2-1 Fiorentina Read More Carlton Cole on West Ham’s final, coaching and surprise sporting ‘love’ David Moyes ready for ‘biggest moment’ of career in first European final West Ham vs Fiorentina predicted line-ups and team news ahead of final Route to the final: How did West Ham reach the Europa Conference League showpiece? Football says goodbye to Zlatan Ibrahimovic – Monday’s sporting social Golf and water parks can help West Ham to European glory, says Thilo Kehrer

On Wednesday, West Ham United fans all over the country will spend the day somewhere between utter anxiety and outrageous optimism, preparing for the chance to win their first major trophy since 1980. The Hammers face Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final, a little over a year on from making the semi-finals of another European competition and falling just short. This time, there’s real optimism over them going the distance and lifting silverware, a moment which would be truly unique for a generation of supporters. Among them will be a certain Carlton Cole, striker for the Hammers for close to a decade from 2006 to 2015, now a coach within the Academy setup - and still very much someone hoping the club go the distance this time. The memories of last year and being close enough to touch a final appearance will spur the side on, but nothing can be taken for granted at this stage, he says. “If we had beat Frankfurt over two legs I think we’d have gone on to win it. We were so disappointed but now we’ve done really well in the Europa Conference League - you have to congratulate David Moyes for that even without it being a great Premier League season,” Cole told the Independent. “A Premier League team in this competition should be capable of winning it but a final is a one-off, you can’t say it’ll definitely happen.” Cole played almost 300 times for the east London club and was capped seven times at senior international level by England. That was a career highlight - he debut against Spain and almost scored - a moment he describes as the “pinnacle” for any aspiring player. But that is his past, and Cole has both eyes firmly on the future. That is both professionally and in his personal life, with the now 39-year-old an engaging and enthusiastic talker across a range of issues. When we meet, it’s in an unexpected location: the Monaco E-Prix, a flagship race in the Formula E all-electric racing series. The rapidly growing championship is now in it’s ninth season and Cole has found it an exhilarating sport to be around, along with it fitting into his own ethos of improved sustainability. “I went to the London E-Prix last summer and it was brilliant, I had a great time. They taught me about it and how different it is - I was never an F1 fan to be honest but you can see the tactical nouse you need to be a Formula E driver,” he explained. “That’s what I fell in love with, the tactical side - it remains me of football. The team around you need to be on point or you’re not getting the result you really want. Then [Jaguar’s British driver] Sam Bird has been on our TalkSport show and giving his score predictions so we have a bit of back-and-forth with that! “The way they invite people in and explain what’s going on and it ties in with the work I’m doing in sustainability. I’ve done some work with other pundits where we pull together to keep our carbon footprint as low as possible. I’ve looked into an electric car, my recycling is better. EVs are the future so it’s nice to be involved in something which is helping the ecosystem but which you can enjoy along the way too. It has been an eye-opener.” That willingness to absorb new ideas and information, and form his own opinions of where they can lead him, is evident elsewhere in Cole’s life. Having retired from playing, he set about taking the first steps in coaching and is now a Uefa A-licence holder, working with West Ham’s U16s - but he hasn’t necessarily pigeon-holed himself into continuing that route. “When I started I didn’t realise I would get this embedded. I was doing my badges but suddenly you’re a mentor to these kids, not just making them better footballers but better people too. I’m really happy West Ham have trusted me with these boys and it’s come to a point where I understand how far I can go. “Transitioning from being a player was hard to begin with but I think I’ve adapted now. I’m not sure whether long-term it’ll be coaching I stay in but it’s good to know I can do this. I didn’t go fast track, I did it step by step with the FA. “I know my philosophy, I know the style I want to play, but I can use that in other areas: I might want to be a director of football and coaching is just a part of the journey which might lead to bigger things. You have to find your identity within the game.” Within the game and without, it appears. Cole is making changes in both his day-to-day life and his professional career, but some things never change in football - he’ll be desperate to see West Ham win on Wednesday night in Prague, just like every other supporter. Read More West Ham vs Fiorentina predicted line-ups: Team news ahead of Europa Conference League final tonight David Moyes will not compare himself to Ron Greenwood and John Lyall West Ham vs Fiorentina live stream: How to watch Europa Conference League final online and on TV tonight

West Ham United haven’t won a major trophy since the 1980 FA Cup final, but the present day group of Hammers can rewrite history if they triumph against Fiorentina in the Uefa Europa Conference League final. La Viola finished eighth in the Serie A table this season and themselves have gone more than two decades without major silverware - the 2001 Coppa Italia was their most recent triumph. After a dismal first half of the domestic season, David Moyes’ team improved after the new year and eventually finished 14th in the Premier League, but it’s in Europe their attention has been focused over the past couple of months. They’ll look to the likes of Declan Rice and Lucas Paqueta to produce big performances, as they seek to triumph in Prague. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the final. When is the match? The final kicks off at 8pm (UK) on Wednesday 7 June. Where can I watch it? The match will be shown live on BT Sport 1 and BT Sport Ultimate. It can also be streamed on the BT Sport website, BT Sport app and BT Sport YouTube channel. What is the team news? Gianluca Scamacca misses the final after having knee surgery but otherwise, the Hammers should have a full squad to choose from. For Fiorentina, it’s goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu who will miss out, while Nicolas Gonzalez needs a late check to see if he can start. What are the predicted lineups WHU - Areola, Kehrer, Aguerd, Zouma, Cresswell, Rice, Soucek, Bowen, Paqueta, Benrahma, Antonio FIO - Terracciano, Dodo, Martinez, Milenkovic, Biraghi, Amrabat, Mandragora, Ikone, Gonzalez, Bonaventura, Cabral Odds West Ham 37/20 Draw 11/5 Fiorentina 37/20 Prediction The Hammers to bring home a long-awaited trophy. West Ham 2-1 Fiorentina Read More Carlton Cole on West Ham’s final, coaching and surprise sporting ‘love’ How to watch West Ham vs Fiorentina online and on TV tonight David Moyes ready for ‘biggest moment’ of career in first European final Route to the final: How did West Ham reach the Europa Conference League showpiece? Football says goodbye to Zlatan Ibrahimovic – Monday’s sporting social Golf and water parks can help West Ham to European glory, says Thilo Kehrer

Conor McGregor’s team suffered another tough week on the new season of The Ultimate Fighter, as one of the Irishman’s mentees was declared unfit to compete and another was stopped in Round 1. McGregor and Michael Chandler, who are due to fight each other later this year, are coaching opposing teams of athletes on the new season of the UFC television show. In Episode 1, McGregor’s team member Nate Jennerman was knocked out inside eight seconds, and there was more misfortune for the Irishman’s group in Episode 2. In the episode, which aired on Tuesday (6 June), Trevor Wells developed a cold sore and was deemed medically unfit to face Timur Valiev, before Mando Gutierrez was beaten by Cody Gibson in Round 1. Gutierrez was dropped with a clean knee to the chin, before Gibson applied ground and pound to secure a TKO win. McGregor, wearing a cowboy hat given to him by Gutierrez, was visibly frustrated at ringside. “Ah, unlucky, Mando,” the former dual-weight UFC champion said. In a post-fight exchange in the team’s locker room, McGregor, 34, told Gutierrez: “Right here with you, Mando. Here with you, my man. Back to the gym now.” Gutierrez replied, “I just wanted to give my heart,” to which McGregor said: “That’s what you did, man! That’s what you f***ing did, my man!” Gutierrez responded, “Coach, I’m way better than that,” to which McGregor replied, “I know that.” “It was a tough fight, that was,” McGregor later said in an interview. “The flying knee was a good shot. Mando’s a great little fighter. I would’ve liked him to stand his ground more; he was on the float a little bit too much for my liking. We were working on cutting the Octagon in [training].” A tearful Gutierrez, sporting a severely swollen eye, added: “You know, I fought my heart out, and it wasn’t enough. I love this game, sometimes it just don’t love me back. I’ll be back, it is what it is.” All you need to know about season 31 of The Ultimate Fighter can be found at the highlighted link here, and you can read our review of the new documentary McGregor Forever here. Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More Conor McGregor mentee loses in eight seconds on The Ultimate Fighter How to watch The Ultimate Fighter 31 in the UK McGregor Forever: The problem with the new Conor McGregor documentary

All that was visible of Teofimo Lopez was his left sleeve, the white of his jumper beaming in the dark. The orange flash of a street lamp splashed through the car, where the boxer reclined in the backseat. He leant forward, easing his body out of the shadows. His face, however, remained obscured by the rear-view mirror. “One thing I love about my sport: I could kill a guy and get away with it.” In the driver’s seat, Lopez Sr whipped his gaze from the road to his phone screen. His face cracked into a cackle. “You gotta edit that one!” he laughed, somewhat uneasily, aiming the request at Eddie Gomez on the other end of the call – on the other side of the split-screen. Gomez, best known as the host of Punsh Drunk Boxing, howled a laugh back down the line. “No, you can’t edit that,” came the call from the backseat, street lamps now strobing against the shadows. “Don’t edit that.” *** It was on 17 October 2020 that Teofimo Lopez became a unified world champion. In the depths of lockdown, in a hollow hall inside MGM Grand Arena, in front of a lean crew of nameless masks, the American launched an oppressive offensive against Vasiliy Lomachenko. That offence was in fact suppressed as the fight wore on, but at the end of 12 rounds – having thrown 659 punches to the Ukrainian’s 321, and having just survived a foreboding comeback – Lopez would leave Las Vegas with Lomachenko’s titles, adding them to the one he had brought with him. The result, a unanimous decision, surprised many. It surprised those who had predicted a customary win for a generational great; it surprised those who had witnessed Lomachenko fight back from the brink to threaten Lopez’s early lead. It did not, however, surprise either Teofimo Lopez in the building. The Brooklyn-born, 25-year-old Lopez – 23 at the time – had never doubted the outcome. Nor had his father. The pair have long walked a thin, fragile line between confidence and delusion, but Lopez Jr had never been beaten and they could not entertain the notion that any fighter would change that fact; not even Lomachenko. As his father hoisted him aloft, a tearful Lopez Jr preached to a near-empty room that the result had been inevitable, even from his days as an Olympian representing Honduras in 2006. The fight was close, but for Lopez, it was career-making. He was the youngest boxer to hold four belts at once in the history of the sport. The problem for the American was that his next fight was equally close, but career-making for George Kambosos Jr. Lopez had touched the mat in Round 2, a shotgun right hand collapsing the champion to the canvas. Kambosos Jr, too, was forced to climb off the mat before all was said and done, toppled off balance and off his feet in Round 10. But it was the Australian who would have the world titles to show for his sacrifices across 36 minutes. What did Lopez have to show? Little more than bruises stamped over his eyes, highlighted by smeary circles of blood. Incredulous, the American began his celebrations anyway. Somewhere inside, however, Lopez recognised that changes had to be made, even if he would never admit as much in words. And so the “Takeover”, beginning a fresh bid to become world champion, underwent a makeover. *** Returning at 140lbs, kickstarting a pursuit of super-lightweight gold, Lopez took on Pedro Campa in August 2022. Lopez had won every round on each judge’s scorecard when, in Round 7, he quite literally danced into range. Bullying Campa with hooks and uppercuts as the Mexican offered few signs of response or escape, Lopez forced the stoppage. The simple vein of victory was a welcome one for Lopez after his back-to-back, brutal battles with Lomachenko and Kambosos. The simplicity of such a win was short-lived, however, with his next bout proving surprisingly challenging and ushering in a concerning phase in Lopez’s still-young career. Sandor Martin, stepping in on short notice in December, fought through a broken nose – brought on by a clash of heads in the very first round – to drop Lopez twice, only to watch the win elude him in a moment of cliched boxing injustice. That was how most observers saw it, ESPN’s commentary team included. It was not, of course, how Lopez saw it, even though he was heard asking his team after the bout: “Bro, do I still have it, man? Do I still got it?” Later, speaking to Punsh Drunk Boxing from the back of a car, moments after relishing in the thought that he might kill a man in the ring someday, Lopez said: “At the fighter meeting [before the bout], I dissed [analysts] Andre Ward and Timothy Bradley in front of ESPN’s production. [I dissed] all of them for all their affiliation and corruption that they do. And what happened? When I slipped with the first knockdown they called, what did Bradley say right away? ‘He’s hurt, he’s hurt.’” With residual resentment coursing through him, Lopez looked ahead to his next fight, June’s clash with WBO champion Josh Taylor – a man who has courted a few controversies in his time. “This is my last fight on ESPN,” Lopez said of his bout with the Scot. “This is why this fight means everything. “If they want the black fighters, they can keep them.” According to Lopez Sr, his son’s comment – which was cut from the interview but not before viewers had shared it on Twitter – was not racially motivated. Lopez Jr, for his part, has claimed that his words are often twisted. “I don’t apologise for any of the stuff that I say. If you ever take it wrong, then that’s on you, because I never take it to that extreme. I just speak a certain kind of way, strategically, on one specific thing. Others will turn my words and switch it around, and do what they gotta do to play with it.” Perhaps, though, the words are simply twisted in essence. There is an irony to Lopez claiming that they are taken out of context while saying plainly: “I said it like it is. I want to kill Josh Taylor.” Again speaking to Punsh Drunk Boxing, who are arguably enabling him at this point, Lopez said: “This is a kill-or-be-killed sport. I mean, someone [Kenneth Egano] just passed away; 6 May, a kid, 22 years old, passed away. [Still], I said it like it is: I want to kill Josh Taylor. “What the f*** does that mean? People are like, ‘Well, let’s get back to boxing.’ I’m like, ‘That is boxing.’ This is what we sign up for. You’re gonna probably lose your life. If I’m gonna die in that ring, at least I died for something bigger than me and some integrity. I went out there like a warrior [...] Boxing is that, it’s: ‘You’re gonna die – maybe. You may die.’” As much as Lopez seeks to add a noble sheen to these sentiments, they are troubling words – enough so to suggest that he may be a troubled young man. He is, of course, just that: young, with time to learn. Yet he is already a father, and as it stands, he is surrounded by people who seem content to watch him – and help him – sabotage himself. Teofimo Lopez is treading a disturbing path through boxing. The concern is that no one seems to be putting him on the right track. Read More Josh Taylor vs Teofimo Lopez live stream: How to watch fight online and on TV this weekend ‘We’re dealing with a freak’: Meet Adam Azim, the 20-year-old boxer scaring world champions The Independent’s pound-for-pound boxing rankings Who is fighting on Josh Taylor vs Teofimo Lopez undercard this weekend? What time does Josh Taylor vs Teofimo Lopez start in UK and US this weekend? How to watch Josh Taylor vs Teofimo Lopez online and on TV this weekend

Season 31 of The Ultimate Fighter is under way, as Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler coach opposing teams of competitors on the UFC television show. McGregor and Chandler’s teams consist of up-and-coming mixed martial artists who are bidding for a contract with the UFC, and fighters who have fought in the promotion in the past and are looking to make their way back. Only one fighter will emerge victorious on the show. McGregor has coached on the programme in the past, going up against Urijah Faber in 2015 and winning with his team. That was a rare case of two coaches taking part in the programme but not fighting each other afterwards, and McGregor vs Chandler has been announced for later this year. No date, location or weight class has been confirmed, but both fighters have promised that the bout will go ahead. The first episode of The Ultimate Fighter season 31 aired on Tuesday 30 May in the US, and on Thursday 1 June in the UK. The series will air weekly episodes until the season finale on 15 August. In the US, the programme is airing on ESPN and ESPN+. In the UK, BT Sport is broadcasting the show on TV, as well as on its website and app. Episodes go live at 10pm BST each Thursday. It is worth noting that BT Sport is being rebranded to TNT Sports in July. At the end of Episode 1 of the new season of The Ultimate Fighter, one of McGregor’s mentees was knocked out within eight seconds. Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More Conor McGregor mentee loses in eight seconds on The Ultimate Fighter Conor McGregor vs Michael Chandler will be ‘over in two rounds’, says Dustin Poirier McGregor Forever: The problem with the new Conor McGregor documentary

Josh Taylor will defend the WBO super-lightweight title in a main-event clash with Teofimo Lopez this weekend, as the boxers square off in New York City. Taylor, 32, previously reigned as undisputed champion in the division, and he retained that status – as well as his unbeaten record – in his most recent fight. That was a controversial decision win against Jack Catterall in February 2022, however, and Taylor vacated two belts and was stripped of another as he pursued a rematch with the Englishman. That fight fell through earlier this year, though, setting up this weekend’s bout between Scotland’s Taylor and American Lopez. Lopez, 25, is a former unified lightweight champion, who won the titles from Vasiliy Lomachenko in 2020 before losing them to George Kambosos Jr in 2021. He has since bounced back from that sole professional loss with two straight wins at super-lightweight, however, stopping Pedro Campa in August and controversially outpointing Sandor Martin in December. Now Lopez is moving up a weight class in a bid to become a champion again. Here’s all you need to know. When is it? The fight will take place on Saturday 10 June, at Madison Square Garden’s Hulu Theatre in New York City. The main card is set to begin at 1am BST on Sunday 11 June (5pm PT, 7pm CT, 8pm ET). Ring walks for the main event are then due at approximately 4am BST (8pm PT, 10pm CT, 11pm ET). How can I watch it? In the US, the event will air live on ESPN and ESPN+. In the UK, Sky Sports will broadcast the fights. Sky Sports subscribers can watch the event live on TV, as well as on the broadcaster’s website and Sky Go app. Odds Taylor – 8/13 Lopez – 11/8 Draw – 12/1 Full odds via Betway. Full card (more fights to be confirmed) Josh Taylor (C) vs Teofimo Lopez (WBO super-lightweight title) Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More The Independent’s pound-for-pound boxing rankings Joe Rogan is right: Tyson Fury has ‘no chance in hell’ against Jon Jones Why is BT Sport being rebranded to TNT Sports? Eurosport merger explained What time does Josh Taylor vs Teofimo Lopez start in UK and US this weekend? How to watch Josh Taylor vs Teofimo Lopez online and on TV this weekend The Independent’s pound-for-pound boxing rankings

Josh Taylor has a point to prove when he takes on Teofimo Lopez this weekend, with the WBO super-lightweight title on the line in New York City. Taylor has not fought since February 2022, when he retained the undisputed titles with a controversial decision against Jack Catterall in Glasgow. The unbeaten Scot later vacated two of the belts and was stripped of another as he focused on a rematch with Catterall, which fell through earlier this year. The collapse of that fight led to the announcement of this one, however, with 32-year-old Taylor defending his remaining title against Lopez, a former unified lightweight champion. Lopez, 25, outpointed Vasiliy Lomachenko to win the lightweight belts in 2020, before losing them to George Kambosos Jr in 2021. The American has since bounced back from that sole professional loss with two straight wins at super-lightweight, though, stopping Pedro Campa in August and winning a debated decision against Sandor Martin in December. Here’s all you need to know. When is it? The fight will take place on Saturday 10 June, at Madison Square Garden’s Hulu Theatre in New York City. The main card is set to begin at 1am BST on Sunday 11 June (5pm PT, 7pm CT, 8pm ET). Ring walks for the main event are then due at approximately 4am BST (8pm PT, 10pm CT, 11pm ET). How can I watch it? In the US, the event will air live on ESPN and ESPN+. In the UK, Sky Sports will broadcast the fights. Sky Sports subscribers can watch the event live on TV, as well as on the broadcaster’s website and Sky Go app. Odds Taylor – 8/13 Lopez – 11/8 Draw – 12/1 Full odds via Betway. Full card (more fights to be confirmed) Josh Taylor (C) vs Teofimo Lopez (WBO super-lightweight title) Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More The Independent’s pound-for-pound boxing rankings Joe Rogan is right: Tyson Fury has ‘no chance in hell’ against Jon Jones Why is BT Sport being rebranded to TNT Sports? Eurosport merger explained Who is fighting on Josh Taylor vs Teofimo Lopez undercard this weekend? What time does Josh Taylor vs Teofimo Lopez start in UK and US this weekend? The Independent’s pound-for-pound boxing rankings

Josh Taylor and Teofimo Lopez are both out to make a statement at the other’s expense this weekend, with each fighter entering New York City on the back of a controversial win. The undefeated Taylor, 32, last fought 15 months ago, when he retained the undisputed super-lightweight titles against Jack Catterall in Glasgow. Most fans and pundits believed that Taylor had been beaten, however, and the Scot later vacated two of his belts and was stripped of another as he pursued a rematch with Catterall. That bout fell through earlier this year, though, leading to this weekend’s main event, in which Taylor defends his remaining title – the WBO belt – against former lightweight champion Lopez. Lopez, 25, took the unified lightweight belts from Vasiliy Lomachenko in 2020, but the American dropped them to George Kambosos Jr in 2021. He has since responded to that sole professional loss with back-to-back wins at super-lightweight, however, stopping Pedro Campa in August and controversially outpointing Sandor Martin in December. Here’s all you need to know. When is it? The fight will take place on Saturday 10 June, at Madison Square Garden’s Hulu Theatre in New York City. The main card is set to begin at 1am BST on Sunday 11 June (5pm PT, 7pm CT, 8pm ET). Ring walks for the main event are then due at approximately 4am BST (8pm PT, 10pm CT, 11pm ET). How can I watch it? In the US, the event will air live on ESPN and ESPN+. In the UK, Sky Sports will broadcast the fights. Sky Sports subscribers can watch the event live on TV, as well as on the broadcaster’s website and Sky Go app. Odds Taylor – 8/13 Lopez – 11/8 Draw – 12/1 Full odds via Betway. Full card (more fights to be confirmed) Josh Taylor (C) vs Teofimo Lopez (WBO super-lightweight title) Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More The Independent’s pound-for-pound boxing rankings Joe Rogan is right: Tyson Fury has ‘no chance in hell’ against Jon Jones Why is BT Sport being rebranded to TNT Sports? Eurosport merger explained Who is fighting on Josh Taylor vs Teofimo Lopez undercard this weekend? How to watch Josh Taylor vs Teofimo Lopez online and on TV this weekend The Independent’s pound-for-pound boxing rankings