Josh will be Khongsong for defence in Glasgow
BY MICHAEL GANNON
GLASGOW fight fans will get the first glimpse of Josh Taylor entering the ring as unified world champion.
The Prestonpans fighter will take on unbeaten Thai Apinun Khongsong at The Hydro on May 2 in a mandatory defence of his IBF super-lightweight title.
Taylor also holds the WBA and Ring Magazine belts after October’s points win over Regis Prograis.
The Tartan Tornado wants to fight WBO and WBC champ Jose Ramirez later this year for the right to be called undisputed super-lightweight champ.
The 29-year-old, now with American promoters Top Rank, said: “I can’t wait to get the ball rolling with a great performance.”
Ramirez faces mandatory challenger Viktor Postol on May 9 in a bout rearranged after the coronavirus crisis.
Promoter Frank Warren said: “Josh is destined for many big fights over in the States but has got business to attend to first on the home front.”
CRAIG BROWN knows Scotland are on a potential collision course with the continent’s hottest young striker if Steve Clarke’s team have to play Norway in the Euro 2020 play-off final next month.
But the former national team boss – and the last man to lead the Scots to a major finals – is convinced a player he watches every week can put the shackles on Borussia Dortmund’s prolific Erling Haaland whose scoring exploits have rocketed him into the £100million bracket at the age of 19.
Brown, a director at Aberdeen, believes Dons centre-back Scott McKenna can shut out the Norwegians – or Serbia – in the Final if Clarke’s men beat Israel in our semi on March 26.
The veteran manager, in charge at France 98, said: “Failure to get to Euro 2020 is not in my thinking.
“We have the right man at the helm. He is so well regarded for his achievements at Kilmarnock.
“He can get us through the Israel game I’m sure. I’m a wee bit more worried about the second game.
“If we get Serbia that will be one of the most hostile environments. If it’s Norway they’ve got one of the hottest strikers in Europe in Haaland.
“But McKenna is very good. I see him every game for Aberdeen and if you are looking for a young guy who has every attribute to be a centre-half it’s
BY DAVID McCARTHY McKenna. He’s got the pace, which is unusual for a big boy. Nobody beats him in a race for the ball.
“Haaland is a top player. McKenna would have to stay close to him and put him off his game. We can’t let him get free headers, for instance.
“McKenna will play but who partners him is up for debate. Charlie Mulgrew isn’t a centre-half but he’s had to play there and he’s left-footed as well, so the balance isn’t right there.
“But Stevie won’t have a problem with McKenna. He’ll handle any striker, including Haaland if he has to play him He’s not a dummy. He’s an intelligent boy and if he’s told by Stevie how to nullify Haaland he’ll do it. “
Brown has no doubt Scotland, who saw off Israel in the Nations League 18 months ago, will do the same again but admits Clarke could do with having his strongest squad available.
He added: “I’m sure we’ll beat Israel. I watched us play them at Hampden and, although it was a good game, we were better than them. As we’re at home again I don’t see anything about Israel to worry us. I feel confident about our ability to win that match.”
Craig Brown was speaking at the launch of a new Glasgow Life Play Your Game programme to celebrate the city’s hosting of Euro 2020. To find more visit euro2020.scottishfa.co.uk/uefa-euro-2020/news/ posts/2020/february/glasgow-celebrates-uefa-euro2020-host-city-role-by-launching-biggest-ever-footballprogramme.