Taylor insists he’s in happier place following split from Mcguigans
● World champion slams his former team as he looks forward to defence against Thailand fighter Khongsong
It has been all change for Josh Taylor this year and the world super lightweight champion has revealed he is in a much better place now he is under the watch of new trainer Ben Davison.
The 29-year-old Prestonpans fighter severed ties with Barry Mcguigan’s Cyclone Promotions and his former mentor, Barry’s son Shane, in January, electing to sign a multi-year deal with Las Vegasbased Top Rank.
He also agreed an advisory deal with MTK Global that will see him fight both in Britain and in the US.
Taylor admits he took some time to weigh up his next move before coming to an agreement with Davison, who is the former trainer of the new world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.
However, the 2014 Commonwealth Games gold medallist insists he is now in a much happier state as he prepares to defend his WBA and IBF super lightweight titles against Thailand’s Apinun Khongsong at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow in May.
“I’m a lot happier than what I had been,” Taylor explained. “There’s been no stress and thinking about other things so I can solely concentrate on my boxing. Training isn’t just the same hard grind every day, there’s technical sessions and they’re really enjoyable. Everything with Top Rank has also been great so far, no hiccups or anything like that.
“I left [Cyclone] because I wasn’t being treated right. I wasn’t being properly managed, it was a shambles. I know I’ve made the right decision and I am just looking forward now.
“When I felt I wanted to go elsewhere, and I’d been looking around at other trainers, Ben always popped up and I just felt he suited my style. I’d been watching videos of him on the pads with Billy Joe [Saunders] and the type of training that they were doing and the combination punching really appealed to me.
“I went out to Dubai with Ben and the team but I didn’t really get a feel for it as it was more like a holiday camp. However,
I got a taster on the pads and I just took to it straight away. I had a week with Adam Booth, too, and I enjoyed that as well, but I just felt there was going to be too many fighters in the gym and I wouldn’t get the time I need. So Ben is the right guy to take me forward.
“We train at [Ricky] Hatton’s gym and then do night sessions at the gym in the hotel in Manchester where I am based while in camp so it’s working out well.”
Taylor admits he cannot afford to underestimate the undefeated Khongsong despite being strongly tipped to retain his WBA and IBF crowns in just under two months’ time.
The World Boxing Super Series winner will put his belts on the line against the Thai fighter at Glasgow’s SSE Hydro on Saturday 2 May.
Khongsong is six years younger than Taylor and has registered 13 knockouts from 16 professional contests.
However, the 23-year-old has only fought outwith his native country once, and he will make the long journey to Scotland as the underdog.
But Taylor isn’t one for cutting corners and will be preparing for a hard 12 rounds. “On paper it looks like it should be an easy night’s work,” he said. “But, having said that, you can’t judge a book by its cover.
“I’ve got to keep my focus and give him the respect he deserves. He’s 16-0 with 13 knockouts so he obviously carries a bit of power. He looks tall for the weight so it’s hard to judge him. I’m going to have to watch what I’m doing because if I don’t get past him then it shatters all my dreams and ambitions.”
“I’m going to have to watch what I’m doing because if I don’t get past him then it shatters all my dreams and ambitions”
JOSH TAYLOR