BOXING Castle would rather go Gaga for a pop gig than put on a big bout in my home city
KING JOSH GOES INTO BATTLE Taylor’s had gutful of being snubbed
JOSH TAYLOR has laid siege to Edinburgh Castle for snubbing his pleas to stage a mega-fight there this summer.
The Tartan Tornado is determined to conquer Las Vegas and become undisputed light welterweight champion after his showdown with Jose Ramirez in May.
But Taylor’s hopes of a spectacular homecoming in Edinburgh have fallen on deaf ears and he’s ready to tell council chiefs where to go.
The WBA and IBF champ said: “It’s been stone cold from Edinburgh Castle. It’s a growing frustration for me.
“I’m beginning to get to the point of telling them where to go and to ram it.
“It’s beyond me why the people at Edinburgh Castle don’t want to have one of their natives and have a massive, historic event at the castle.
“Yet they’ll let Lady Gaga or someone go up there and have a concert.
“The logic is beyond me. I just know a fight of that magnitude, a fight with the castle in the background, is great for Scotland and great for Edinburgh Castle. It will bring tourists and revenue in.
“I almost feel like sticking the middle finger up and taking it elsewhere. I’d really love to do it but if it doesn’t happen it’s not the end of the world. It’s their loss in my opinion.
“It would be a real shame and a missed opportunity but we’ll just go to Easter Road.”
Taylor is looking to take care of business in the US first with his history-making contest with Ramirez.
The 30-year-old is aiming to become Scotland’s first undisputed champion since Ken Buchanan and the first Brit to hoover up all four divisional belts in history.
Taylor is praying the Covid travel bans will be lifted by May 22 and has promised to get the pints in for the fans once he sinks his rival.
The Prestonpans ace said: “There is talk of the travel restrictions getting lifted just a little bit before May.
“I’m not going to hold my breath because you just never know what’s going to happen. But it would be amazing for all the travel restrictions to be lifted so people can go, letting me have a travelling support from the UK.
“I want to take the Tartan Army over to Vegas and have a big shindig after the fight. That would be amazing.
“When I fought in Vegas before I remember seeing the massive contingent Carl
Frampton had over with him. The day after the fight we went to the Nine Fine Irishmen Pub across the road.
“All the fans were in there, it was just a brilliant day.
“That’s why I’d love it if the restrictions were lifted and we could have fans over there.
“I could take them for a drink and thank them for their support. Carl stuck his card behind the bar that day and of course I’d do the same, especially so in the current circumstances when people have been off work and not making much money.
“If they are willing to spend money on coming over then I’d want to treat them to a few drinks after I won the belts.”
Taylor is thrilled the Ramirez deal has been sealed this week and insists he’s ready to make a leap into history. He said: “I feel really lucky to be in this position but I’ve worked hard to get to this point. I’ve dedicated my whole adult life to my sport and craft.
“For this fight to come off, something every fighter dreams of, headlining in Vegas, I’m one of the fortunate few to do that.
“So I feel satisfaction that all my hard work and dedication over the years is paying off.
“But I’m not finished yet. I’ve still got a job to do. Win this fight and that’s something else ticked off the bucket list of things I want to achieve.”
The logic is beyond me. A fight of that magnitude is great for Scotland and for Edinburgh Castle JOSH TAYLOR IS BAFFLED AT THE LACK OF ENTHUSIASM FROM THE CAPITAL’S MOST FAMOUS LANDMARK