The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Taylor impresses in first title defence
Josh Taylor once again showed his undoubted potential last night with an impressive first defence of his Commonwealth super-lightweight title against Warren Joubert at Edinburgh’s Meadowbank Sports Centre.
The 35-year-old South African national champion had promised to reveal why he is nicknamed ‘The Warrior’ but the fight ended after one minute 27 seconds of the sixth round after he had been floored by the powerful and merciless Prestonpans fighter.
It was a fine performance by the 26-year-old Scot, a Commonwealth gold medal winner, who extended his professional record to 9-0 to the cheers of the home fans. Eight of those bouts have been won inside the distance.
Taylor, managed by former world champion Barry McGuigan, started positively, pinning his opponent into the corner on a couple of occasions and getting his shots through.
Joubert was rocked by a left hook early in the second round but used his experience to compose himself.
The challenger, however, found himself in trouble again in the corner and, although he escaped to hear the bell, it was brief respite.
A thudding right-hand from Taylor found the target in the next round and on a couple of occasions he unloaded his armoury on Joubert.
Taylor also proved adept at slipping shots when the game South African tried to impose himself on the fight.
The champion eased off in the fifth round until the end when he stepped it up and another accurate left staggered Joubert.
After taking several flurries of shots in the next round, a powerful left hook flattened him, with Joubert’s corner showing the towel as referee Victor Loughlin stopped the contest.
Anthony Crolla bids to win back the WBA lightweight belt he relinquished to Jorge Linares in Manchester tonight.