I’ll Hatton down the hatches
Josh leans on Ricky for Sin City glory bid
BY MICHAEL GANNON JOSH TAYLOR is out to follow the Ricky Hatton glory path all the way up the Las Vegas strip.
The Prestonpans puncher has set up camp in the British legend’s gym on the outskirts of Manchester and is hoping some of the magic rubs off ahead of his ring return in Glasgow on May 2.
Taylor is determined to defend his IBF and WBA light welterweight crowns against unbeaten Thai fighter Apinun Khongsong at the Hydro before attempting to conquer America.
The 29-year-old idolised Hatton as a youngster and would love to emulate the British star by taking thousands of fans to Sin City for a possible undisputed showdown with Jose Ramirez.
Taylor said: “Ricky has been there, done it and worn the T-shirt. He was one of my heroes when I was a kid. I had DVDs and videos of him.
“When I first started boxing I based my style on him and Joe Calzaghe. And then when I was older I discovered Manny Pacquiao too. But Ricky is good to have in the gym.
“I’ve seen him once or twice since I went in there as he’s been busy with his fighters.
“Given everything Ricky achieved, especially in America, he’s someone I can lean heavily on for advice.
“He’s been in massive fights and probably taken the biggest travelling support ever across to the States.
“So he’s the best man to ask what to do over there, what to watch out for and all the rest.
“It would be amazing if I could take an army of mad Scottish fans over to Vegas one day for one of my fights!
“I’m sure whenever I get to America I’ll take a good travelling support.”
Taylor is set to make his first defence as unified champ following his epic battle with Regis Prograis last October.
The Tartan Tornado is also showcasing a new coaching team after drafting in former Tyson Fury cornerman Ben Davidson.
There could be a snag with Davidson’s other charge Billy Joe Saunders being lined up as a potential opponent of pound-forpound king Canelo Alverez.
But Taylor insists he’ll be in safe hands with long-term trainer Terry McCormack.
The champ said: “We don’t quite know what’s happening with the Canelo fight so we’re playing it by ear. It it’s on May 2 then we have a solution in place. I will have Terry in my corner.
“I’ve known him for years as he was my amateur coach, so it’s not a problem. Ben would work with me right up until they head out to Las Vegas and Terry would come down for the last couple of few weeks.”
Taylor is set to top the bill on a star-studded card in Glasgow in May, which includes fellow Scots such as British and Commonwealth champ Lee McGregor.