‘Crazy’ Taylor a ring master
But Groves says Scot must relax
THE verdict of one world title holder on a champion-inwaiting is pretty unequivocal. George Groves fully expects Josh Taylor to relieve American Jose Ramirez of the WBC superlightweight belt. And to hold on to that prize for some time.
But there’s something about the 27-year-old Scot, still a relative novice with only 13 pro fights to his name, that gives a smiling Groves some half-serious cause for concern.
The WBA super-middleweight title holder, a veteran now of 31 fights, laughed as he was asked about the nickname — Hank — bestowed upon stablemate and gym buddy Taylor.
Groves, who watched the former Commonwealth Games gold medallist defeat Ukraine’s Viktor Postol in Saturday night’s final eliminator in Glasgow, explained: ‘I think Hank comes from the Jim Carrey film Me, Myself and Irene, which is about the guy with the split personality.
‘He is a bit crazy. He just doesn’t switch off. He shared a room with Lee McGregor in this camp and Lee has been sending in videos of Taylor up at one in the morning shadow boxing. He literally has no off button.
‘That’s the kind of thing where I’d like to put an arm around him and say: “Mate, I don’t even shadow box when I’m in the gym! What are you doing? Have a rest, man!”
‘But that’s a quality that Shane McGuigan (Taylor’s trainer) has to nurture and contain. You can’t take it away from him, because that’s what makes him such a special fighter.
‘At the same time, though, it can be his undoing. When he steps up another level, he’s got to be patient.
‘He’s got the power to mix it with anyone. He has speed, fitness, all the attributes. But it’s almost like giving away too much, smothering yourself with work.
‘With the experience that he’s gaining quickly, he’ll be well on his way to becoming the complete fighter.
‘He will be better for fighting and beating Postol. He had never been 12 rounds, never been in any sort of trouble. From the very first round of the fight, Postol buzzed him and showed he was dangerous.
‘Josh is used to being taller and faster. His defences always work. They weren’t working against Postol.
‘When he was backing him up with head movement, pressurising him and taking the angles after the shots, that was when he had his best success. That shows class, to execute that.’ Inexperience is the only marker against Taylor at the moment, with his talent demanding that promoter Barry McGuigan move him further up the ladder faster than most of his contemporaries. Groves is wary of placing just too much expectation on the Prestonpans fighter, pointing out: ‘Even though he’s stepped up through the levels and had hard fights, he’s still only had 13. ‘That’s only 13 times making the weight, 13 times sleeping the night before the fight, waking up ready for the day. ‘Even if you’re boxing in low-key shows at the start of your career, time and time again you are conditioning your body to get up for those occasions. ‘There was a lot of pressure on him against Postol. In the fight, that was going to open a lot of doors for him. And he came through it.
‘I see Josh day in, day out. He’s a joy to be around. We’re all moody fighters — but his attention to detail is night and day, compared to me. He doesn’t switch off.
‘He’s now learning that he needs to prioritise what is important. Against Postol, he got away with a few mistakes, came through a sticky patch.
‘But that showed real character and determination, the signs of a great fighter. To make a total U-turn after the bad round is brilliant.
‘I see similarities in his career to mine. I had the James DeGale fight as my domestic dust-up, a few others before stepping up to world level.
‘It took me a few attempts (to win the title)! It won’t take Josh that many. I’m the old veteran in the gym, answering questions, imparting a little bit of wisdom if I can. It’s a great gym, a real variety of fighters all at different stages of their careers, all pushing each other on.
‘Lee McGregor, like Taylor, is another who is going to make a quick progression through the pro ranks. It will be tough to hold him back.
‘I’m trying to keep up with these guys in the sprints and circuits. It’s not easy.
‘For 13 fights, Josh is head and shoulders above anyone at that level. I admire the way he’s kicked on. Full credit to Cyclone in the way they’ve promoted him.
‘I think he’s ready to fight for a world title. He’s had that big domestic needle fight against Ohara Davies, that dust-up to give him the last green light to stand up to world level.
‘Beating Postol shows that he’s now at world level. I certainly believe he can not only win a world title, but keep it.
‘He’ll snatch one of those belts up soon. And he will reign for a long time.’