TAYLOR TARGETS A WORLD TITLE SHOT
Taylor’s battle cry as he eyes world title chance
HE’S missed his dogs. Oh, and his family. All worth it, though, if Josh Taylor takes another step towards that world title shot seemingly just beyond the horizon.
An eight-week training camp in London, stepping up his usual Monday-Friday commitment to working with Shane McGuigan, certainly hasn’t been easy. These things aren’t meant to be.
The idea, as old good trainers will testify, is to keep their fighters mean. Add an edge to their natural aggression. Have them straining to get at the other guy.
So, when he steps into the ring to face late stand-in Winston Campos at Glasgow’s SSE Hydro tonight, Taylor will aim to turn all the hardship of the last two months into a world of pain for the out-of-towner.
Revealing how a couple of Staffordshire terriers named after Manny Pacquiao and Sugar Ray Leonard have become part of his inner circle, the reigning World Boxing Council (WBC) silver super lightweight title-holder said: ‘My mum rescued a wee one a few years back and I’ve another one as well. They are a couple of Staffies. They are great dogs, so gentle. I think I miss the dogs more than anyone else!
‘You don’t get any grief from the dogs and you are guaranteed a warm welcome when you come home. It’s like the old saying, you try locking a dog or your Mrs in the house for a couple of hours — and then, when you get back, see who is happier to see you!
‘I’m only joking. But it is great to get back and enjoy a few home comforts. I get to see my girlfriend and my mum and dad.
‘That’s the hard thing about going away. Your whole life is on hold. You don’t see loved ones, you miss out on holidays, birthdays, weddings, christenings, stag dos, all that kind of stuff.
‘But I love boxing and those are the sacrifices you have to make if you want to be a success in this game.
‘I’m used to it, though. Even when I was in the Scottish amateurs, I would be away at tournaments and training. It’s part of the job and it makes it all worthwhile when you achieve success.
‘It’s nice to be back in my own bed for a couple of nights.
‘I get to see everyone and, on the morning of the fight, I can go a long walk with the dogs, which helps take my mind off everything.
‘I like being away but you are in the hotel room trying to chill out. It can be a long day camped up before the fight at night.
‘At home, I can switch off with the dogs until I get to the venue — then it’s me who is off the leash!’
With a record of 11-0 in his short professional career, the 2014 Commonwealth Games gold medallist is building quite a following across Scotland. The Prestonpans pugilist, nicknamed the Tartan Tornado, is expected to put on a show for his fans against Nicaraguan challenger Campos — a late replacement for the injured Mexican Humberto Soto.
The change of opponent so close to fight time takes Taylor back to his days competing for nothing but the Scotland jersey and his love of the sport.
‘I just revert to my amateur days when you don’t know who you are fighting until the day before,’ said the 27-year-old, who became the first Scottish boxer since the great Dick McTaggart to qualify for a GB Olympic team when he went to London 2012.
‘That’s the mentality I need. Yes, it’s late. But back then, you had 24
hours to get the game plan. I’d had all week so I don’t have any worries.
‘My mindset is exactly the same. There’s no chance I won’t be up for it with 5,000 people at the Hydro — although it might be five, with this weather!
‘All I care about is winning the fight and making it another good night.
‘I had nearly a full camp preparing for a different fighter in Soto but I am
feeling confident that I can adapt against Winston Campos. ‘He’s taller, he’s a southpaw and he’s dangerous — but I’m feeling great and there’s only one winner.
‘It might take me a couple of rounds to adjust to his style, but I think the stoppage will come.
‘The fact that he’s a southpaw probably suits me, being a southpaw as well.
‘It’s an easier style to match as there will be clearer lines with us both leading from the left.’
Already inside the top ten of the prestigious Ring Magazine ratings for the ten-stone division, Taylor is ranked five among those contenders for the vacant WBC belt.
If beating Campos — who has lost in both of the fights he has taken outside of his native Nicaragua — is unlikely to win him huge kudos, another victory tonight will at least keep the momentum going.
Taking him a step closer to that crack at the title.
Vegas, maybe? He’ll miss his dogs. Worth it, though.