I’m not jealous of Josh but I want to hit the same heights
BOXING MAILMAN BACKS TAYLOR
FLOWER OF SCOTLAND echoed around the heaving Hydro twice in barely half an hour to hail Scotland’s boxing golden boys.
But while one of them has been hitting the high notes since that glory night at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2014, the other has been forced to wait for his chance to get back on the big stage.
Charlie Flynn could be forgiven for feeling hard done by as he watches old pal Josh Taylor soar his way to world level since turning pro while he’s been held back by a series of morale-crushing injuries.
It was the postman from Newarthill who became the poster boy for the Games as the nation fell in love with the Mailman.
But it’s his mate from Edinburgh who is headlining major venues and in line for a world title shot. Taylor is talking about Edinburgh Castle next summer with Flynn on the comeback trail in a dinner show at Glasgow’s Double Tree Hilton on December 10.
But Flynn said: “Is it hard to watch Josh? No way. I’m delighted for him. I’m not sitting thinking that should be me. It’s been great to see him doing so well. We speak to each other quite often and I’m chuffed for him. He was brilliant in his last fight against Miguel Vazquez. He’ll be fighting for a world title soon.
“The more Scottish lads who are doing well, the bigger the shows and it helps everyone. Seeing Josh only spurs me on.”
Flynn’s due a break. In three years as a pro he’s had back problems, hand injuries, broken ribs and just when he was fighting fit in April a clash of heads left him needing 25 stitches and four months on the sidelines.
He’s no longer quite the wisecracking patter machine of a few years ago and is serious when it comes to getting his career going again.
Flynn – who wants the British title in the next 12 months – added: “I’ve had a really bad run. It’s been brutal.
“It’s difficult to maintain motivation when everything is going against you and some days are harder than others.
“But you still have that desire deep down to keep going because you know you have it in you to win titles.
“Hopefully my bad luck is behind me. This is a fresh start.”