Josh Taylor restrained by NYPD police in a face-off with Teofimo Lopez after calling his welterweight rival a ‘clown’ at a pre-fight press conference at Madison Square Garden
- The NYPD was recruited to separate Josh Taylor and Teofimo Lopez on stage
- Security was heavy and the beefiest officer of them all stood sternly between them
- Top Rank promoters have forgone the usual face-to-face photographs
The NYPD was drafted to keep Josh Taylor and Teofimo Lopez at least half a step apart when they first walked into the same room on Thursday.
Security was heavy and the heaviest officer of them all stood sternly between them for a quick photo. No staring. No jostling. Some long-range clipped insults.
Promoters Top Rank have forgone the usual head-to-head photographs following heavy commentary between the two in the media ahead of this weekend’s fight at Madison Square Garden.
A statement ahead of the media event read, “Instead of a traditional face-off, a layer of security will separate the fighters. Additional security guards were hired due to the intense pre-fight rhetoric between the two fighters.
After a question and answer session with the host of the event, a burly policeman entered the stage flanked by security guards on either side and put his arms around Taylor repeatedly to prevent the Scot from approaching the ‘American Lopez.
The NYPD was drafted to keep Josh Taylor and Teofimo Lopez at least half a step apart
Security was heavy and the beefiest officer of them all stood sternly between them (above)
Taylor and Lopez will square off at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night
Challenger Lopez, 25, said last month he liked the idea 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 super-WBO. lightweight title fight.
When asked at yesterday’s press conference if his comments conveyed any real hostility, Lopez said, “It is what it is.” I speak my truth. This is how I feel. Everything I say, I just try to make it exist.
When asked the same question, Taylor, who unified the division before releasing multiple titles, said, “It’s kind of authentic. I also say what I want to say. There’s a bit of sincere aversion there. He was disrespectful.
‘A lot of words he said, I’m going to make him pay for it on Saturday. I can’t wait to get in there and be torn between him.
Ring magazine belt holder Taylor then called Lopez, a former lightweight world champion, a “clown” after quoting Mike Tyson and calling on him to come up with his own saying.
Lopez, dressed in a shirtless white suit, replied, “Aim for death because that’s where life begins.”
“Everyone is afraid of death. I do not know why. We’re all going to die, but at least if I die, I’ll die for something that means something. It will last forever. That’s what the greats are. ‘Something you don’t really know.’
Taylor, dressed in a Scottish football top, was quickly manhandled by the police officer and joined on stage by six security guards when he walked over to his opponent to talk to him during the photo op.
The fight is due to start around 4am UK time in the early hours of Sunday morning.
