JOSH IS SIN IT TO WIN IT
Hungry Taylor eyes up Vegas return
JOSH TAYLOR got a taste of the big time in Las Vegas and has admitted he’s hungry for more.
The Commonwealth superlightweight champ beat Alfonso Olvera in Sin City on the undercard of Carl Frampton’s world title fight in January and aims to top the bill back there one day.
But Taylor, 26, knows he can’t afford to rush as he is still learning his craft. And the Edinburgh ace makes the first defence of his title against South African hardman Warren Joubert, 35, at Meadowbank tomorrow.
Taylor said: “Being in Vegas whetted my appetite. Being so close to Carl, being in the same camp, he’s so close to home – if he can do it, why can’t I?
“If I can apply myself to the sport, dedicate myself in the right way, I can do what he has done.
“My career’s been going really quickly fast forward. I don’t want to get ahead of myself and jump into the deep end too quick. I still feel I need good domestic fights, prove I’m the best in Britain, then I can move on from there.”
Taylor admits tomorrow’s clash will be his stiffest test to date. He expects to be pushed all the way by the South African but is convinced there will only be one winner.
He said: “Potentially, this could be my toughest fight. But I’m very confident. Warren is similar to Dave Ryan in terms of style which suits me down to the ground.
“I’ve been growing in confidence with the wins I’ve had – and the work I’ve been doing in the gym.
“I’m hurting middleweights and welterweights with big 14-ounce gloves and headgear on. I’m hurting some big guys. So I feel sharp, feel fast, feel quick.
“My power is developing. I’ve always had the land speed which creates a bit of power. But I’m punching much harder, getting my weight behind them and punching correctly.
“It’s not like it was in the amateurs, when you just wanted to get your punches away as quickly as possible. I’m sitting down on them now.
“It’s not necessarily about looking for knockouts, just fighting the right way. I’ve not changed my training but I’m doing more of it.
“Sprinting faster, lifting heavier weights, longer on the treadmill, longer circuits and sparring hard rounds at a top pace.”
The Meadowbank show, to be screened live on freeview channel Spike, is heading for a sellout.
And Taylor added: “It’s good to be back in Edinburgh. I’ve been working my a*** off in training down in London and I’ve been leaving no stone unturned to make sure I keep hold of my belt.”
Joubert, who has lost just four of his 26 bouts, is determined to leave Scotland a winner and said: “They don’t call me the warrior for nothing.”
Scots hopeful Jason Easton is looking to continue his progress against Hungarian hardcase Zoltan Szabo on the undercard.
Easton said: “He is a tough customer and I’ll have my work cut out but I am confident I can come through it.”
MICHAEL GANNON
RORY McILROY faces an uphill battle to regain the WGC Match-Play title after losing to Soren Kjeldsen in their group opener in Austin, Texas.
The world No.2 looked on course for victory when he overturned a two-hole deficit with three birdies in a row from the 11th, only for the Dane to birdie the next four holes to seal a superb 2&1 win.
And the bad news for pre-tournament favourite McIlroy is only one player who lost his first game 12 months ago – world No.1 Dustin Johnson – reached the last 16.
The Northern Irishman said: “If I’d played anyone else I might have won. Soren played great so I give him credit. He played well from the first hole.”
It wasn’t the only shock on the opening day as two-time Major winner and Texas native Jordan Spieth lost 4&2 to Japan’s Hideto Tanihara but Johnson took care of Webb Simpson 5&3.
Scots ace Russell Knox sealed a 3&2 win over Bill Haas while Paul Casey saw off Joost Luiten 2&1.
There was sad news as Jason Day pulled out of the tournament to look after his mother as she undergoes treatment for lung cancer.
The Aussie ace was three down after six holes against Pat Perez when he conceded and walked off.
He later said: “She’s going into surgery this Friday and it’s really hard to comprehend being on a golf course right now.”