Teofimo Lopez Styles on Josh Taylor to Win the WBO Title

Photo Credit: Mikey Williams/ Top Rank

Press Release/ Top Rank

The Takeover has conquered a second division.

Former unified and lineal lightweight king Teofimo Lopez (19-1, 13 KOs) captured the WBO and Ring Magazine junior welterweight world titles with a 12-round unanimous decision win against former undisputed champion Josh Taylor (19-1, 13 KOs) Saturday evening at The Theater at Madison Square Garden. In the opening two rounds, Taylor connected with straight left hands and counterpunches to the body. But by rounds three and four, the 32-year-Scotsman began feeling the sting of Lopez’s power. With scores of 115-113 2x and 117-111, the 25-year old Brooklyn native is now a lineal world champion in two divisions.

Undercard Results:

Junior middleweight phenom Xander Zayas (16-0, 10 KOs) kicked off the Puerto Rican Day Parade festivities without a hitch. The 20-year-old scored a dominant eight-round unanimous decision against California-born veteran Ronald “Diablo” Cruz (18-3-1, 12 KOs) to defend his NABF and NABO belts.

Junior Lightweight: Brazilian Olympic gold medalist Robson Conceicao (17-2, 8 KOs) was just beginning to warm up in his scheduled 10-rounder against Nicolas Polanco (20-4-1, 11 KOs), but an accidental headbutt in the second round forced the referee to stop the fight. The bout was ruled a no contest.

Junior Welterweight: Omar Rosario (11-0, 3 KOs), the fighting pride of Caguas, Puerto Rico, tallied a workmanlike eight-round unanimous decision victory against countryman Jan Carlos Rivera (8-2, 6 KOs). Rosario's aggression and short counterpunches were just enough to overcome Rivera's free-swinging style. Scores: 77-75 3x.

Heavyweight: Undefeated Polish prospect Damian Knyba (12-0, 7 KOs) defeated Mexico's Helaman Olguin (9-6-1, 4 KOs) via eight-round unanimous decision. Knyba, a 6-foot-7 behemoth with an 86-inch reach, got off to a strong start, landing right hands that sent Olguin reeling to the ropes. Scores: 79-73 3x.

Featherweight: Brooklyn-born phenom Bruce Carrington (8-0, 5 KOs) defeated Luis Porozo (16-7, 9 KOs) via eighth-round TKO. Carrington fought at a close distance, mixing in jabs with power shots around Porozo's guard. Time of stoppage: 2:17.

Junior Lightweight: In a battle of southpaws, Puerto Rican standout Henry Lebron (18-0, 10 KOs) scored a 10-round unanimous decision win over Spanish veteran Carlos Ramos (17-3, 10 KOs). After a few feel-out rounds, Lebron's talent began to overcome Ramos, as he dropped him in the eighth and tenth with right hooks. Scores: 97-91 and 98-90 2x.