STAND BY YOUR BEDS
Vegas-bound Josh is ready to rumble in the wee small hours
JOSH TAYLOR is hoping to take Las Vegas by storm on British prime time but he’s sure fight fans will stay up to see things go thump in the night.
The Tartan Tornado is set for the biggest stage in boxing when he squares up to Jose Ramirez for all the hardware in the light welterweight division on May 22.
Taylor will headline in Sin City’s famous MGM Grand but promoter Top Rank are looking at staging the super fight at a time more suitable for a UK audience.
The Edinburgh ace would love punters to be able to tune in on a Saturday night.
However, the 30-year-old grew up watching mega bouts in the wee small hours and is in no doubt his Tartan Army will be pulling all-nighters as their hero bids to make history.
Taylor said: “It would be better for fans if it was a little earlier but in reality, people who want to watch the fight will stay up and watch it. I know I did over the years. Of course I’d like it to be UK friendly but I’m sure people will set their alarms or do an all-nighter.
“I used to do the all-nighters but now I set my alarm! As a massive boxing fan, if I’m not in camp, I’ll stay up to tune in.
“When I was younger I remember sitting up to all hours watching the likes of Manny Pacquiao v Oscar De La Hoya, the Canelo fights.
“Ricky Hatton against Floyd Mayweather is one that stands out. Although I remember sitting up for Pacquiao against Mayweather at the MGM Grand and I dozed during the ring walk!
“I woke up halfway through the second round, so I learned my lesson to go to bed and just set my alarm.”
Taylor is counting down the days to his date with destiny and has revealed his victory is already written in the stars – as well as in his notebook.
The WBA and IBF world champion likes to scribble down goals as part of his mental preparation and has the next stage of his career all in black and white. Taylor said: “I’ve been writing this down for the last 18 months, at least.
“Just writing down, ‘Josh Taylor, undisputed and unified light welterweight champion…’
“The only thing that’s changed is crossing out 2020 and writing in 2021.
“But I’ve been writing it down on bits of paper, ‘Josh Taylor to KO Ramirez’.
“I’ve been writing about moving on to welterweight, doing it on any scrap of paper lying about. I’m still doing the things I used to do years ago.
“I’ve ticked a few of those off, done not bad in my short professional career to date and I’m proud of what I’ve achieved.
“But I’m nowhere near finished. I’m hungry for more.
“I want to win this fight, make a defence of the titles and then move up to welterweight, chase a second weight world title.
“I’m always setting new goals and targets. I’m never standing still.”
Taylor is on the path to global domination but he won’t take his eyes off the immediate issue in his way.
Undefeated Ramirez holds the WBO and WBC belts, with the Mexican-American already a star in his own right.
Taylor claimed his crowns by seeing off highly-rated New Orleans boxer Regis Prograis in October 2019 and many observers reckon his old rival was the tougher test.
The undefeated Scot, gearing up for his 18th pro bout, doesn’t see it that way and said: “It’s a totally different fight, tactically.
“Ramirez will be in front of me and easier to find – he won’t be slipping and moving.
“He’ll come to fight. I’ve seen it many times. It has the makings of a great fight.
“I didn’t mean it would be an easier fight than Prograis, it will be more straightforward tactically. But that’s about as much as I’m going to give away!
“Every fighter dreams about headlining in Vegas and I’m one of the fortunate few getting to do that.
“I feel satisfaction that all my hard work and dedication over the years is paying off.”