Covid-19 ends Taylor castle fight dream

Scots boxer Josh Taylor admits his undisputed super lightweight fight with Jose Ramirez is likely to take place in the US – despite his dream of fighting at Edinburgh Castle.

The pair are set to lock horns at the start of next year in a mouth-watering tussle for all four belts after WBO mandatory challenger Jack Catterall opted to step aside from a clash with Ramirez.

With fans able to attend boxing matches in the States, something that is not currently allowed in the UK due to Covid-19, Taylor concedes he will have to head across the Atlantic for the bout with the American.

The Edinburgh-born fighter is still desperate to fulfil his aim of fighting at his beloved Easter Road - the home of boyhood club Hibs – or at the castle esplanade but admits being top of the bill in a show Stateside is also a huge attraction.

WBA and IBF champion Taylor said: “It’s probably going to be in the US with the way things are happening here with Covid, especially the lockdowns north of the border.

“It’s not looking like it will happen here – it will be more likely in America.

“I’m not fussed. That will be one ticked off the bucket list again.

“Go to the US, headline a show in an undisputed fight. It’s a massive piece of history.”

Speaking to IF L TV, Taylor, who knocked out Apinun Khongsong in the first round behind closed doors last month, added: “I’m more than happy for it to be in the USA.

“In fact, I would rather it was probably there with the way things are here.

“That last fight there against Khongsong didn’t affect my mental side of things but it was a very strange feeling, walking out to the ring and nobody there.

“It felt like a sparring match but at the same time I had the mentality that it’s a world title fight.”

Meanwhile Savannah Marshall’s bout for the vacant WBO middleweight title this weekend has been called off because trainer Peter Fur y has tested positive for coronavirus.

The Hartlepool fighter, who represented Great Britain at the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games, was set to take on Scotland’s Hannah Rankin on the undercard of Lewis Ritson’s light- welterweight fight against Miguel Vazquez in Peterborough.

However, Matchroom, which is promoting the event at the East of England Arena on Saturday night, announced the contest will be rearranged in light of Fury’s positive test.

Fury is the nephew of WBC heavy weight champion Tyson, who was trained by his uncle up to and including his shock vic tor y over Wladimir Klitschko five years ago.

Fury also trains his son, heavyweight Hughie.