The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Taylor must avoid slips on path to world title
Barry McGuigan has warned Josh Taylor he cannot afford any slip-ups tonight in frozen Glasgow.
The Scot makes the second defence of his WBC Silver super-lightweight title against Nicaragua’s Winston Campos at the SSE Hydro in a fight which will be screened on Channel 5.
Original opponent Humberto Soto pulled out with injury but McGuigan and his Cyclone Promotions team have managed to find their fighter a similar, if less experienced and rated, opponent who will come forward and attack.
After becoming the first man to stop awkward Mexican Miguel Vazquez last time out, Commonwealth Games gold medallist Taylor can further boost his chances of landing a world title shot if he puts on another eye-catching display.
McGuigan said: “He’s right on the cusp of fighting for a world title but he mustn’t have any hiccups.
“We have to manipulate him into the world title realm and I want to put him in there as soon as I can, because he has broken all the records. He won the Commonwealth title in his seventh fight, he has had 11 fights, 11 wins and 10 knockouts.
“So he is a really great fighter and he is learning and getting better and changing his style every day.
“He has to be in the best shape of his life because the light-welterweight division is crammed full of talent. He is going to grow and grow and he has got to keep winning.”
Campos has plenty of experience for a 25-year-old – although most of it is in his homeland – and last lost in 2013 against former world champion Ismael Barroso.
McGuigan added: “After Soto pulled out with injury, I was grateful for Campos and his team accepting the fight, and the main event should be a good test for Josh.
“Campos hasn’t lost in almost five years, and he’ll come forward and try and put the pressure on.”
The undercard also features Edinburgh’s undefeated Jason Easton fighting Glenn Foot of Sunderland for the vacant Commonwealth super-lightweight title, while Charlie Flynn and Ryan Collins meet again in a grudge match for the Celtic lightweight belt.