GET YOUR STATES ON
McGuigan tips Taylor to conquer USA like Buchanan
RING legend Barry McGuigan reckons Josh Taylor can become the first Scot to make it big in the USA since the great Ken Buchanan.
Former WBA lightweight champion Buchanan topped bills in New York, Los Angeles, Miami and Toronto.
He even forced Muhammad Ali to box on the undercard in his second comeback fight against Oscar Bonavena in 1970 – and is still recognised by fight fans in the States today.
Taylor faces the biggest test of his boxing career when he defends his Commonwealth lightwelterweight title against unbeaten Londoner Ohara Davies at the Braehead Arena on July 8.
However, McGuigan insists the Prestonpans ace will extend his pro record to a perfect 10-0 and go on to become as popular as Buchanan was across the pond.
The Northern Irishman said: “Ken was pigeonholed as an Edinburgh fighter and had to take himself off to the States, where he did great things. He was a household name there for years.
“We’ve taken Josh there and he has fought on undercards in Vegas, New York and El Paso.
“The Showtime TV people over there love him – his win over Alfonso Olvera was the first bout they showed live on the night of Carl Frampton-Leo Santa Cruz II. In fact, Showtime chief Stephen Espinosa said the other night that he wanted me to give him a call so I assume it’s about showing this fight in the USA. “You have to remember these are two of the best young fighters in the world, not just the UK – because of social media everyone is talking about these kids.” Taylor, who is trained by Barry’s son Shane, won gold at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow three years ago but McGuigan had marked him down as a star long before that.
He said: “I’ve always thought he was brilliant to watch and that he had world-class potential.
“When I’m weighing up whether to invest in a fighter, I’m looking for a kid with a bit of everything.
“He may not have it all but we can spend the next couple of years building him up and shoring up the areas where he’s a bit weak.
“When I saw Josh box at the Games in Glasgow he was the standout. Charlie Flynn also won gold but Josh was the one who looked cool and composed.
“I’d been watching him for a couple of years and could see he was developing. Plus Alex Arthur said: ‘Keep an eye on this kid.’
“Shane has done a phenomenal job with Josh and we haven’t lost his speed, placement and pace. What we have done is add power.
“He now has the strength to take opponents out with a single shot and you’ll already have seen that in some of his performances.”
Some might wonder whether Taylor can take a punch, since none of his nine opponents have been able to lay a glove on him – but McGuigan has no doubts.
He said: “I’ve watched middleweights catch him right on the button and bigger men try to knock him about but he has a very sturdy chin.
“He’ll need that chin in this fight because you can’t walk through the shower without getting wet.
“Josh needs to show that he can take a shot – but so will Davies.”
Ken was a household name in the States for years BARRY McGUIGAN