Josh is dreaming of becoming world champion – and defending his title at Edinburgh Castle
TAYLOR PLANS NY RAM RAID JUST
THE American Dream doesn’t usually have a fairytale ending at a castle but Josh Taylor always has been his own man.
His manager Barry McGuigan has been telling people for years his charge is destined for glory and the lad from Prestonpans has never had any doubts either.
It’s time to start believing the hype. There are victories in the ring that send out a message. Taylor’s win against Viktor Postol took out a billboard in the United States that would leave the Hollywood Hills sign in the shade.
Be warned America. Taylor is coming. He’s on his way to take on WBC super lightweight king Jose Ramirez and won’t stop there.
Taylor is out to become world champion then defend the title in one of Scotland’s most famous settings.
He said: “I would like to travel over there to the States, challenge him in his own backyard, win – and then come back to fight at Edinburgh Castle.
“I would like to do it before the Festival, when all the stands are up with all the lights. It would be amazing at an iconic setting, get piped into the ring and everything. That would be one for the history books.
“I’m on the verge of achieving my dream of winning a world title.
“I didn’t feel under any pressure but it was maybe playing at the back of my mind. I was thinking, ‘Win this and I’m going for the world title’.”
The margin – as judges gave him almost every round – was ridiculous as it was a much closer contest. But the result was not in doubt.
Taylor sensed the battle was in the balance at halfway, suffered the first mini crisis of his career in the seventh but rose to the challenge.
He won the last five rounds, including a brilliant knockdown in the 10th and said: “Postol fought his best fight of his career. Everyone said he was over BY MICHAEL GANNON the hill but he came in the best shape of his life and was strong and awkward.
“He surprised me and I had to adapt there or four times. I got caught early on and there were a few times I had to bite down on my gum shield.
“I know the mistake I made and he caught me on the button. I had to use my boxing brain but I recovered. Once I relaxed I got the job done.
“It was probably the best result of my career but maybe only 70 per cent of my ability. I can do a lot better and be a lot sharper.
“It was a huge step up but it didn’t feel like anything I couldn’t handle. If I was at my best I could’ve taken him out but I’ll learn from this.”
This 27-year-old, who picked up gold at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow four years ago, is walking the walk. He’s faced just 13 fights as a pro and has two ex-world champions on his resume along with one of the top domestic rivals.
Taylor had never gone beyond nine rounds yet the last three on Saturday were his best to date.
The 10th was a barnstormer. He’d already steadied the ship and taken control but went on the offensive to hammer home his authority.
Taylor’s switching styles and blurring hand speed had Postol perplexed and a shuddering left hook put the Ukrainian on the floor. Mere mortals wouldn’t have bothered getting back up never mind hung on until the final bell. Postol went out on his shield but Taylor is on the charge.
The Scot added: “I’ve been doing 12 rounds standing on my head in the gym so I wasn’t worried. I showed I can go the distance and adapt when I need to.” FROM BACK PAGE Viktor Postol on Saturday to set up a world title showdown with Jose Ramirez.
Manager Barry McGuigan admitted the American WBC champ wants to take Taylor to his home patch in California but reckons the Scot could meet him halfway in the Big Apple.
It would be sweet for the Edinburgh fighter as his hero Buchanan was king of New York in the 1970s with world title wins over Carlos Ortiz and Ruben Navarro at the iconic Madison Square Gardens – where he also took on legendary Roberto Duran.
Taylor has been backed to become Scotland’s next transatlantic fight icon after blowing the super lightweight division wide open.
McGuigan said: “One of his heroes is Ken Buchanan, who went to Panama to win a world title then unified it in Madison Square Garden. Josh would love to do something like that.
“These are definitive fights when you go to these places and win. Ken had to go on the road to fight the likes of Ismael Laguna and Carlos Ortiz out there.
“I’m not worried about him fighting Jose Ramirez in New York. It will be a tough fight but I think he beats him.
“I wouldn’t like to take him to the west coast of the States simply because Ramirez is very popular out there.
“But we’ll see what our budgets are like, we’ll see what the WBSS (World Boxing Super Series) is like as well and see what’s available.