Teofimo Lopez has caused controversy among boxing fans on social media with his latest comments ahead of his fight vs Josh Taylor.
The former WBA, WBC 'franchise' IBF and WBO lightweight world champion is now up at super-lightweight and set for a world title shot in his new division on June 10th.
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Champion Taylor previously held all four belts, but now just owns the WBO crown following a lengthy period of inactivity in the aftermath of his controversial win over Jack Catterall last year.
Regardless, the Lopez fight is highly anticipated by boxing fans, with the young challenger seemingly trying to up the stakes further in his latest interview.
Lopez caused outrage as he told Punsh Drunk Boxing: “No-one felt sorry for me when I was in the ICU after my fight [vs George Kambosos Jr].
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"No-one said, 'Teofimo, wish you well, hope you're good.' No-one wrote to me.
"This is a kill or be killed sport. I mean someone just passed away [on] May 6th, a kid 22 years old just passed away.
"And I said it like it is, I wanna kill Josh Taylor.
"What the f*** does that mean? People are like, ‘Let’s get back to boxing.’ But that is boxing. That is what we sign up for.
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"You’re probably going to lose your life. What does that mean?
"I mean if I’mma die in that ring, at least I'd die with some dignity and some integrity. I went out there like a warrior and the champs that we are.
"That’s what I know. That’s what I sign up for. Boxing today is the gladiator days back then.
"A lot of people don’t know that because they don’t know boxing.”
Lopez continued: “When I fought Vasyl Lomachenko, I took his heart.
“Taylor's got no heart, so what can I really take from this man? His life.
"The only way I’mma make a statement is by doing that.
"I’m not sorry about that.
"How do I scare people more than ever? Take a man's life."
As always when a fighter makes such comments, there has been backlash from boxing fans on social media.
One reacted by saying: "Such a tremendous fall from grace for Teo. Anyone talking about killing someone in the ring is a clown.
While a second replied: "What an idiotic statement."
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A third boxing fan put: "Used to like Teofimo as a fighter but he acts like a complete helmet."
And another concluded: "This man needs serious help."