McGuigan tells of super faith in Taylor’s talents

Barry McGuigan has backed Josh Taylor to prove he is the best super-lightweight fighter in the world as the Scot begins his World Boxing Super Series campaign.

Taylor and American Ryan Martin take their unbeaten records into the last quarter-final in the division in Glasgow’s Hydro tonight.

The winner will take on new IBF world champion Ivan Baranchyk in the last four and there is another world title available for the ultimate winner of the Ali Trophy.

McGuigan said of his charge: “They wanted him in the tournament because he’s the most talked-about fighter in the super-lightweight division.

“He was already being talked about all over the world, particularly where you want him to be talked about, in America.

“Because I already put him out on two shows in America and he got television audiences on both occasions.

“He fought in a couple of title fights and everybody was raving about him.

“The governing bodies start taking notice, he beats all those guys and gets into number-one position (for the WBC title), and the tournament wanted him.

“And here we are fighting Ryan Martin. It’s a very tough fight. He’s a very tough kid, very fast, very capable, he’s got good skills. He’s tall for the weight; he’s muscular. He is coming up from lightweight so he has speed, he’s got good hand-eye co-ordination, fast hands and an exciting style.

“So I think it’s going to be a great fight. But I genuinely believe that Josh is the best fighter in this tournament. Regis Prograis won’t agree, Kiryl Relikh won’t agree, he is the WBA champion, and neither will Ivan Baranchyk.

“But I firmly believe he is the best fighter around. He is the most adaptable, the most explosive.

“He is probably not as hard a hitter as Regis Prograis but has more adaptability. He can fight and box whereas Prograis just wants to have a tear-up all the time.

“I think he’s got the full shebang but he’s got to prove it, and I think he will.”

Taylor is already looking ahead to the prospect of uniting the two belts on offer in the tournament with the WBC title.

Cyclone Promotions founder McGuigan said: “He’s hugely ambitious and very confident, willing to fight anybody.

“We went into the tournament giving up the chance to win the WBC title because he can get two world titles with this tournament.

“He desperately wants to prove he’s the best 140lb fighter in the world and this tournament gives him the chance.”

Picture: SNS. Josh Taylor weighs in before his World Boxing Super Series fight.