THE ONLY WAY IS UP
Taylor continues his rapid progression with another victory
DEFENDING champion Josh Taylor put on a systematic display of speed, power and controlled aggression to stop Warren Joubert in round six of their Commonwealth super-lightweight title contest at Meadowbank Arena. Despite being cut in the first round from a clash of heads, Taylor dictated the action almost from start to finish. Aside from a cagey opener, it was essentially one-way traffic throughout in favour of the Edinburgh man.
Taylor kept his composure and let loose with classy combinations on both the inside and outside. The Scot looked levels above his game South African foe as he utilised precise power-punching and intelligent footwork. It was quite clear midway through the contest that the effective body work displayed by Taylor was sapping Joubert’s energy. The challenger did attempt to attack, but Taylor’s excellent timing kept Warren at arm’s length for the most part.
Joubert was the recipient of several damaging left hooks from the Shane Mcguigan-trained champ in the fifth, as Taylor almost brought an end to the bout. However, Warren was saved by the bell after enduring a heavy onslaught. The inevitable happened in round six though, as Joubert was on the receiving end of another barrage of punches, culminating in a devastating left hook that sent him to the canvas. The brave visitor attempted to rise, but the towel came in from his corner, and the fight was stopped after 1-27. Victor Loughlin officiated.
Chief support saw Conrad Cummings easily take apart Austrian Gogi Knezevic
in three rounds as the Coalisland middleweight continued to set his sights on moving up the WBO rankings this year. He looked a class and size above his opponent from the outset, imposing his strength and displaying effective combination punching throughout. In round three, a right to the body, followed by a right to the head sent Knezevic to the mat. Gogi failed to meet the count of referee Phil Edwards after 1-20 of the session. It had been set for 12.
Edinburgh super-lightweight
Jason Easton arguably produced the performance of the night in stopping the tried-and-tested Zoltan Szabo in the second round of their scheduled 10. A heavy counter right to the temple badly disorientated Szabo, and Easton followed up with a flurry of power-punches, eventually dropping the Hungarian to the floor. The former Stephen Ormond conqueror got back to his feet, but following another assault from Easton, Mr Pringle halted the contest at the 2-20 mark.
Ex-team GB member Connor Law
outpointed Cameroonian-frenchman
Francis Tchoffo over eight, with official Kenny Pringle scoring the match 80-72 in favour of the Kelty middleweight southpaw.
In another eight-rounder, heavyweight prospect Nick Webb outscored Angolaborn German Andre Bunga, with Mr Loughlin tallying 80-72 in favour of the Chertsey fighter. Meanwhile, Haddington’s Iain Trotter made his professional debut, knocking out Hungary’s Sandor Jozsa after 1-25 of round one. It had been slated for four. Mr Pringle refereed.
THE VERDICT Taylor looks ready to move on to bigger and better things.