THE countdown is on to a “career-defining” fight as Josh Taylor attempts to become unified world super lightweight champion.

The boxing star flew out to Las Vegas last Friday as he gets ready to take on fellow double world champion Jose Carlos Ramirez.

Taylor’s WBA and IBF titles will be on the line alongside Ramirez’s WBC and WBO championships.

The East Lothian boxer said: “This is a huge, career-defining fight.

“Even my last couple of fights have been career-defining but this one is huge.

“This one, in terms of sporting history, a legacy and putting my name in the history books as one of Scotland’s sporting greats, is massive for me.

“That side of things, cementing my name in the history books, is something that seems really motivational for me and inspirational.”

Both men come into the fight, which will take place on May 22, undefeated and without a blemish on their records.

Each of Taylor’s last four fights have come against previously undefeated boxers.

Former Preston Lodge High School pupil Taylor clinched his first world title after defeating Ivan Baranchyk in the semi-finals of the World Boxing Super Series in May 2019.

The IBF champion then added the WBA title to his collection when he won the series after ending Regis Prograis’ unbeaten record.

During that time, WBC champ Ramirez, who did not take part in the global tournament, defeated WBO world champion Maurice Hooker before successfully defending the titles against Viktor Postol – a former opponent of Taylor.

The Haddington-based boxer spoke to Courier Sport just 24 hours before he flew out to America.

He said: “I’m feeling good.

“Everything is all sorted and we are ready to go.

“We are leaving tomorrow to go out there for a month.

“It is the business end of camp and it is all work and no play for the last four weeks.

“I will be getting in the zone and it is four weeks that are mostly to do with the heat and time difference.

“It is mostly the heat and in the gym it is going to be 100 degrees.”

The bout was announced at the beginning of last month, with Taylor having enjoyed a first defence of his two world titles with a first-round stoppage win against Apinun Khongsong in September last year.

Training has been intense since the bout was announced but Taylor revealed he had been getting himself in the best possible shape before then.

He said: “The last six weeks have flown in. It has raced upon us but I am glad and I have been getting ready for this fight since my 30th birthday on January 2.

“I have been preparing for a long time and getting ready for this fight.

“I never had a drink and I think I trained on my birthday.

“I had a Chinese takeaway that night but I was into the gym the next day.”

Travel restrictions mean it remains to be seen whether Taylor will be cheered on by family and friends in Las Vegas.

He was not holding out hope that restrictions could be eased in time for the big fight but was determined to get the job done and “have a big celebration” upon his return.