Josh hunts noisy Hydro return
JOSH TAYLOR admits his Commonwealth Games glory in the Hydro will be hard to beat after he ended up banging the drums with a gold medal around his neck.
But the Scotland star hopes to make more noise on his return to the scene of that 2014 triumph.
Taylor will take on Mexican warhorse Humberto Soto at the Glasgow venue on March 3 with a world title shot in the pipeline if he lands a 12th win of his career.
The WBC Silver super lightweight champ can’t wait to walk back out at the place he made his name almost four years ago.
Taylor had a two-day party following the golden display as he and fellow champ Charlie Flynn – also on the card in March – kept the celebrations going.
And the Edinburgh fighter insists there will be many happy returns with plenty of Hydro shindigs to come.
Taylor said: “That was a great night at the Games. After the fight I remember doing all the doping tests and stuff then going back to the house at the Village to celebrate. We got some pizza with the lads and were singing – it was a carry-on.
“The next day Charlie and I did the Press stuff then went to the bar in the Village. Clanadonia were there and I was up playing the drums.
“I had two or three beers and was steaming drunk! I enjoyed the closing ceremony as well – it was a great experience. It’s going m.gannon@dailyrecord.co.uk to be brilliant headlining at the Hydro. Hopefully it’s a sign of things to come.
“It would be great to be back there later in the year winning or defending a world title.
“It has been a massive step going from Meadowbank to the Hydro in a year but I know I have a long way to go before filling it.
“I’m going in the right direction though. This will be my first time back since the Commonwealth Games and it will be special walking into the changing rooms.
“It will bring the memories flooding back. A lot has happened since but the Games still feel like yesterday. It will be difficult to beat that experience of winning gold in Glasgow and singing Flower of Scotland in front of my country. It will be hard to beat but that’s the aim.”
Taylor knows he has his work cut out against a former two-weight world champ.
Soto may be in the twilight of his career at 37 but he has vast experience having clocked up 78 fights against the likes of Jesus Chavez, David Diaz, Kevin Kelley and Bobby Pacquiao.
Taylor inflicted a first knockout to Soto’s countryman Miguel Vazquez last time out but the Scot expects a tougher test. The 27-year-old said: “Soto will be completely different. He’ll bring the fight to me whereas with Vazquez I had to go looking for him and made a few mistakes.
“Soto is a more complete fighter and I’ll need to meet him in the middle of the ring. I’m expecting to be in the trenches.
“Everyone said Vazquez would go the distance but I got him out and if I can do the same it would be another massive statement I mean business this year.
“It would show this is the year for me to be world champion.”
Cyclone Promotions chief Barry McGuigan is convinced his man will stay on the world title trail against a fighter who wasn’t in the ring last year. He said: “We’re going to the Hydro and that shows where Josh is at the moment. He’s one of the most exciting fighters in the world.
“Soto is a great fighter who has had 78 fights. He’s not worn out or tired, he’s fresh and dangerous.
“It’s a gamble but we are thrilled with this fight. It will be a sensational battle.”
The cream of Scottish talent is on the undercard with unbeaten IBO intercontinental champ Jason Easton fighting Glenn Foot for the Commonwealth superlightweight title Taylor vacated.
Commonwealth Games stars Flynn and Joe Ham are also in action along with rising star Lee McGregor and Airdrie-based heavyweight Martin Bakole. PETER CROUCH has emerged as a sensational target for Chelsea.
The Stoke striker, 36, signed a new one-year deal at the Potters this month.
But the 6ft 7in forward is now being considered by the Premier League champions as they chase a tall talisman to replace Michy Batshuayi.
The Belgian international is on his way out with Sevilla favourites to sign him and the Blues had set their sights on Andy Carroll, 29.
However, the West Ham man is devastated after he was ruled out for four to six weeks with an ankle injury.
Chelsea missed out on Spaniard Fernando Llorente, 32, last summer while Crystal Palace’s Christian Benteke is another on their shortlist.
No player has scored more headers in Premier League history than Crouch with 52 of his 106 top-flight goals nodded efforts.
In the meantime Antonio Conte is hoping January recruit Ross Barkley will help solve the Blues’ scoring crisis at Brighton tomorrow with both Pedro and Alvaro Morata suspended.
Chelsea are yet to win a game in 90 minutes this year with all five of their matches drawn, three being goalless.
Barkley scored twice as Chelsea won a closed-doors practice match 3-2 against QPR yesterday.
The England midfielder has not featured this season but is fit again after surgery on his leg muscle prior to a £15m move from Everton.
Conte is also hoping to land £20m Roma defender Emerson Palmieri with talks already under way.
MICHAEL GANNON