Boxing champion Josh Taylor hopeful of 'iconic' fight at Easter Road

Social media reports over the weekend suggested that the undefeated boxing star could face Teofimo Lopez at Hibernian’s home ground this summer.

Taylor said those rumours were “just hearsay” at the moment but outlined what it would mean to fight at either Easter Road or Edinburgh Castle.

He said: “It would be brilliant just for Scottish sport in general.

“It would just be amazing, just iconic for Scottish sport.

“They do things at the Castle quite a lot, why not boxing with one of their natives?

“It would be such an iconic night at the Castle with the backdrop.

“I think it would be amazing.

“All that talk has gone quite quiet now but Easter Road, Hibs, are definitely keen and would love to have me there.

“It is a better venue in a way because they have got facilities, bar, hospitality, that sort of stuff, to do it.

“Either of those venues would be amazing.”

Josh Taylor is hopeful he could be fighting once again this summer. Image: Steve Welsh/PA Images

Hibs fan Taylor, who holds the WBO Super Lightweight title, has been heavily linked with a rematch with Jack Catterall.

The two men had stepped into the ring in Glasgow 12 months ago, with Taylor taking the win – and retaining all four of his world titles – following a controversial split decision.

Plenty of insults have been traded between the two boxers since the bout and there were plans for them to step back into the ring this spring.

However, Taylor is recovering from “a pretty nasty tear” in his plantar fascia tendon in his left heel which forced the fight to be cancelled.

Catterall is now set to step into the ring next month on the undercard of Lawrence Okolie’s bout with David Light.

Prestonpans star Taylor, who now lives in Haddington, said: “What happens if he cuts or gets injured?

“There is no guarantee that he will walk through the fight and we can get it on in June.”

The former Commonwealth Games medal winner spoke of his frustration at being out of the ring for almost a year.

Josh Taylor's bout with Jack Catterall looks to have been put on hold. Image: PA Images/Steve Welsh

He said: “I’m not waiting until September to fight Jack Catterall.

“That’s 18 months out of the ring and I am in my prime.

“We are going to have to start looking at other options and come back to fight later on.

“I’m not putting my career on hold any more just to wait for that fight.”

Josh Taylor, pictured against Ohara Davies in Glasgow, is unbeaten in his 19 fights. Image: Gordon Bell

Taylor spoke to Courier Sport on Monday afternoon as he continued his recovery.

He has targeted getting back in the ring in June but vowed that he would not rush his recovery for fear of aggravating the injury further.

The 32-year-old said: “It is starting to get better slowly.

“It is still painful and I cannot really walk very far on it.

“It is still quite painful but I am starting to feel an improvement on it.

“That is all very positive news and I am moving in the right way, in the right direction; it is getting a little bit better.”