UNDEFEATED boxing world champion Josh Taylor has jetted to the USA ahead of his showdown fight with Teófimo López.

The WBO light-welterweight champion has been training in Liverpool ahead of the bout, which takes place in Madison Square Garden on June 12.

Taylor previously told Courier Sport that it was a childhood dream to fight in the New York venue, which has hosted Muhammad Ali versus Joe Frazier II, Evander Holyfield against Lennox Lewis, and Joe Calzaghe versus Roy Jones Jr.

Speaking earlier this year before the venue was confirmed, he said: “The prospect of the fight being there is unbelievable for me.

“I always said when I was a kid that one day I would be fighting there.

“It is the Mecca of boxing and another one off the bucket list.

“All the big names have fought there, all the iconic names and all the legends of the sport.

“I said to my mum and dad that I was going to be world champion and I was going to box at Madison Square Garden. It is brilliant – another ‘pinch-me’ moment.”

East Lothian Courier: Josh Taylor is stepping back into the ring for the first time since defeating Jack Catterall. Image: PA Images/Steve Welsh.Josh Taylor is stepping back into the ring for the first time since defeating Jack Catterall. Image: PA Images/Steve Welsh.

Taylor, who flew out on Friday, is no stranger to America.

His professional debut came in Texas, where he stopped Archie Weah, and he made history in 2021 when he took a points victory over Jose Ramirez to unify the light-welterweight division.

In doing so, Taylor, who grew up in Prestonpans before moving to Haddington, became the first British fighter of the four-belt era to unify a weight division and only the fifth man in history to achieve the feat.

However, since that historic performance, Taylor, who is unbeaten in 19 professional bouts, has only fought once.

East Lothian Courier: Josh Taylor, pictured after victory over Jack Catterall, has flown out to America ahead of taking on Teofimo Lopez. Image: Steve Welsh/PA Images.Josh Taylor, pictured after victory over Jack Catterall, has flown out to America ahead of taking on Teofimo Lopez. Image: Steve Welsh/PA Images.

The 32-year-old took a controversial points decision against Jack Catterall in February last year and is stepping into the ring for the first time in more than 15 months, having since vacated his other three world title belts.

A rematch with the Englishman was mooted but Taylor will instead be taking on American López, who has only lost one of his 19 bouts.

Taylor said: “He is very good. He beat Vasiliy Lomachenko at lightweight for the belts and he is a very, very good fighter.”