JOSH Taylor lost his WBO super lightweight title to Teofimo Lopez after tasting defeat for the first time.

The East Lothian fighter was stepping back into the ring for the first time since a controversial points victory over Jack Catterall in February last year.

This time, in Madison Square Garden, New York, the fight would again come down to the judges.

But, on this occasion, it was Taylor's opponent who had his hand raised in victory.

Judges scored the bout 115-113, 115-113, 117-111 in favour of the American, who becomes a two-weight champion.

Taylor, who grew up in Prestonpans and now lives in Haddington, made no excuses after the bout and said the better man won.

He also took to social media just minutes ago and said: "Thank you to all my travelling support tonight you are amazing!

"I’m going to bar Local right next to MSG at 2pm, feel free to come and join me and the team for a drink as a thank you for travelling over and spending your hard earned money to come and support me!

"And have a drink on me. Cheers, see you tomorrow"

Former undisputed world champion Taylor came into the bout holding the WBO title, having previously reliquinshed the three other titles in the division.

Thirty-two-year-old Taylor, who has spoken in the past about stepping up a weight division to welterweight, won the IBF light-welterweight title when he defeated Ivan Baranchyk in Glasgow in May 2019.

He added the WBA version of the crown to his collection when he defeated Regis Prograis in the final of the World Boxing Super Series.

Then, he made history by becoming just the fifth man to unify a weight division in the four-belt era when he defeated Jose Ramirez for the WBC and WBO belts in Las Vegas in May 2021.