Taylor earns title shot

BOXING: Tartan Tornado may have to fight in US after defeating Postol

Promoter Barry Mcguigan insists Josh Taylor can cope with a trans-atlantic trip as he chases his first world title.

The Tartan Tornado swept to a 13th straight win as a professional with a gritty points win over former world champion Viktor Postol in Glasgow on Saturd ay night.

Their SSE Hydro showdown was a final eliminator to see who fights next for the WBC super lightweight crown.

It is currently held by Jose Ramirez but while he is due to take on fellow American Danny O’connor on July 7, Mcguigan does not expect to see the belt change hands.

And the Cyclones Promotions chief is already eyeing a Stateside clash with the incumbent for his ambitious Prestonpans puncher.

Taylor, 27, kicked off his pro career three years ago in Texas and has also tasted action in Brooklyn and Las Vegas.

It seems certain he will be made to travel again if he wants to get his chance, but so long as the fight does not take place in California, Mcguigan fancies his man’s chances.

He said: “Josh made his pro debut on the undercard of a world title fight in El Paso.

“He then fought that awkward Mexican kid that took him the distance in Vegas, while he has fought in big arenas round the world as an amateur.

“There is much more pressure on him now as a pro, he can handle it.

“I’m not worried about him fighting Jose Ramirez in New York.

“I wouldn’t like to take him to the west coast of the States simply because Ramirez is very popular out there.

“But we’ll see what our budgets are like, we’ll see what the WBSS (World Boxing Super Series) is like as well and see what’s available.

“We’re keeping all out options open, which is the sensible thing to do.”

Taylor was taken to hospital after the fight after suffering a nasty cut to his eyebrow.

But Mcguigan was delighted as his prospect refused to blink in the face of his sternest test yet.

The only man to have previously beaten Postol was pound-for-pound king Terrence Crawford but Taylor kept his cool after a sticky start, working the Ukrainian to the body before taking advantage with a vicious left hook midway through the 10th round which sent Postol tumbling backwards.

Postol beat the count but the damage had been done as Taylor scored a 118-110, 117-110, 119-108 win on the judges’ scorecards.

Josh Taylor celebrates after defeating Viktor Postol.