SCOTLAND BACKYARD
Taylor wants Ramirez unification fight to take place in ‘beautiful’ Edinburgh home
JOSH TAYLOR’S lightwelterweight unification clash with Jose Ramirez could be staged in his home city of Edinburgh.
WBA and IBF champ Taylor faces Thai Apinun Khongsong at York Hall on Saturday, and his new promoter Bob Arum wants him to face WBC and WBO title holder Ramirez next.
Taylor, 29, has a large following in Scotland and Arum says American Ramirez would come to Edinburgh next year if the numbers add up.
“Edinburgh is a beautiful city,” said the Top Rank chief ( below, in face mask). “I’m looking forward to it because a lot of kids in the United States visit Edinburgh for university and to see friends.
“Ramirez said to me he doesn’t care where the fight is. Wherever it’s economically best he’s for it, whether that means Scotland, London or doing it back in the United States.
“Wherever it makes the most sense, the fight will happen. Josh, of course, has a job to do on Saturday and he’s focused on that.”
Taylor (beating Regis Prograis in October 2019, left) refuses to look past the IBF’s mandatory challenger Khongsong, who has a 16-0-0 record like him, in what will be his first fight with new trainer Ben Davison. “Everyone keeps talking about Ramirez (left, centre), but I’m only thinking about Saturday’s fight,” he said. “I know what my mindset is. He’s very dangerous and it’s his big chance.
“This could change his life because not only can he become world champion, he can become the unified champion. It’s a massive opportunity, so he is dangerous.” Taylor has had almost a year’s break from the ring and says it has made him hungrier working with Davison.
He said: “I was able to have a little bit more time with Ben and get to know him. We clicked straight away and I think this chapter in my career is going to be even better than my first one.”