Taylor makes it look so easy in Super Series
Glasgow glory sets capital star up for tilt at title
JOSH TAYLOR was in seventh heaven last night in Glasgow as he racked up his 14th straight win to earn a shot at world title glory.
The super lightweight star removed the final obstacle standing between him and his dream of following in the footsteps of Edinburgh ring legend Ken Buchanan when he completely outclassed Ryan Martin at the Hydro.
Taylor’s World Boxing Super Series quarter-final against the undefeated American was so utterly one-sided as to be almost embarrassing.
But while Martin, 25, failed miserably to turn up, Taylor once again highlighted his glittering potential with a highly polished, thoroughly professional display.
It took Taylor until the seventh round to put the seal on his latest success when he rocked Martin with a wicked left hook to the head and followed up with another left to the body as he was going down.
Martin struggled back to his feet but referee Victor Loughlin refused to allow him to continue.
So, it is 27-year-old Taylor who will face Ivan Baranchyk in the semi-final early next year — with the Belarusian’s IBF championship belt also on the line.
Taylor said: ‘I’m very happy right now. I knew I was going to win the fight. I expected a hard 12 rounds as Martin is strong. In all honesty, I never got out of second gear. The fight was easy for me.’
Martin appeared content to cover up in the opening exchanges and block Taylor’s attempts to land an early blow.
It looked as if part of Martin’s game plan was frustrating Taylor, given that he did not land a single worthwhile punch, but all he achieved with his negative approach was to fall further and further behind on points.
God-fearing Martin, who says that he reads from the scriptures every morning, claimed in the build-up that anyone who regards him as a soft touch because of his religious devotion is making a mistake.
But it was he who made the mistake of thinking he could suck the life from Taylor by engaging him in a war of attrition instead of trying to live up to his ‘Blue Chip’ moniker.
The WBSS bantamweight quarter-final bout between WBA (Unified) champion Ryan Burnett of Belfast and ring legend Nonito Donaire of the Philippines had a sensational ending.
Burnett, 26, was stricken during his 20th contest without veteran Donaire — a four-weight world champion — laying a glove on him.
The man dubbed ‘The Filipino Flash’ was as stunned as anyone watching when Burnett collapsed to the canvas clutching his right hip in the fourth round.
He appeared to have pulled a muscle while throwing a right hand and referee Howard Foster’s count had reached seven before Burnett was back on his feet. But although he managed to see out the round it was clear that Burnett’s world title was on the line. He winced while clutching his hip and after consulting Burnett’s corner, Foster waved the fight over.
Although delighted to add yet another belt to his collection, Donaire expressed regret that the fight had ended with Burnett forced to retire. He said: ‘A win is a win but it wasn’t the way I would like to have become champion. I feel for him.’
Former world champion Viktor Postol made a surprise return to Glasgow five months after being outpointed by Taylor at the same venue.
But the Ukrainian — a first reserve for the WBSS — was an easy winner on this occasion, massively outpointing Siar Ozgul of England.