PRESTONPANS boxing sensation Josh Taylor is “delighted” to have joined the World Boxing Super Series as he continues his quest to become a world champion.
Taylor, nicknamed the ‘Tartan Tornado’ confirmed his entry to the tournament on Saturday – just one week after his victory over former world champion Viktor Postol to become the mandatory challenger for the WBC World Super Lightweight belt currently held by Jose Ramirez.
American Ramirez defends his title against Danny O’Connor on Saturday evening in Fresno.
On joining the Super Series, former Preston Lodge High School pupil Taylor (pictured above) said: “I am delighted to have had to the opportunity to join the competition.
“It’s a great chance for me to become world champion with multiple organisations.”
And he explained to Courier Sport how the tournament works, adding: “It’s like a knockout competition.
“There’s four boxers confirmed just now and we’re waiting for the other four to be announced, then they’ll make a draw for the quarter-finals.”
Taylor is adamant that he will be victorious, despite the boxers already confirmed including WBA World Super Lightweight champion Kiryl Relikh; European champion Anthony Yigit; and Ivan Baranchyk, the mandatory challenger for the IBF world title.
“I’m not too fussed who I fight – there’s no doubt in my mind I will be winning that fight, and the semi-finals and the final,” he said.
“I’m confident in my ability.”
The 27-year-old, pictured below in action during his win over Postol last month, said it would be a “great honour” to win the Ali Trophy “in honour of the greatest boxer of all time”.
He added: “That would be a special one – it would be out on display in the house that’s for sure.”
The ex-Preston Lodge High School pupil admitted he was approached about joining the Super Series before fighting Postol and that played a part in his “below-par performance” in the early rounds.
He said: “I was thinking about how much was riding on the fight early on – when I relaxed into it a bit more I started getting on top.”
On the prospect of his next fight, which Taylor believes will be in “about November time”, he added: “I’m not sure where it will be.
“We’ll need to see who I get in the draw and where it is going to be.
“It could be here or I could have to travel overseas – it might even be in England.”
He will be back in the gym early next week “ticking over” ahead of the quarter-final bout, but for now Taylor is enjoying some time off.
“I’ve been making the most of the weather and catching up with my family,” he said on Tuesday as temperatures again hit 20 degrees and above in East Lothian.
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