Bish-bash-Josh means business

JOSH TAYLOR believes he issued a “good statement” of intent with an impressive first defence of his Commonwealth superlightweight title against Warren Joubert on Friday night.

The 26-year-old from Prestonpans suffered a cut above the eye against the experienced South African early in the first round but took it in his stride at Edinburgh’s Meadowbank Sports Centre. The contest was ended after one minute and 27 seconds of the sixth round when the 35-year-old struggled after getting up from a vicious left hook.

Taylor extended his professional record to 9-0, and was pleased to take another step up the boxing ladder.

He said: “It is a good statement. I had only seen a couple of rounds of him fighting against another guy in South Africa.

“So I never really had a game plan other than to go out and have a look at him and make sure I was boxing how I like to box; nice and quick and hitting him with the jab. The last shot was a peach.

“It was the first time I have had a cut as a pro and I overcame that as well.

“He came in at me, I ducked down and he came up and clashed the heads.

“But I felt nice and calm. I learned a lot about myself.”

The 2014 Commonwealth Games gold medal winner added: “I will keep going the way I am going and the big fights and the titles will come.

“I don’t think I will be able to fight (in May) with that cut, we will see. But exciting times are ahead, definitely.”