‘I WILL TAKE THEM ALL ON’
Taylor hopes to fight the likes of Garcia once Soto is out of the way, writes Nate Williams
‘SOTO IS GOING TO TRY TO TAKE ME DOWN INTO THE TRENCHES’
SCOTLAND’S 2014 Commonwealth Games gold medallist Josh Taylor is set to take on the decorated Humberto Soto,
66-9-2 (36), on March 3 at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow, in perhaps the final stop before a challenge to one of the superlightweight world titlists.
“They’ve [Cyclone Promotions] matched me really well and [trainer] Shane Mcguigan has nurtured me into a better fighter,” Taylor told Boxing News.
“He’s developing me – I can adapt to any style put in front of me. I can box at range or I can stand toe to toe with the best of them and beat them. It doesn’t matter to me because my goal is to become world champion and to do that, you have to fight everybody in your way.”
Soto, 37 years old and out of the ring since October 2016, is not the force he once was but Taylor, 11-0 (10), believes it’s the logical next step given he’s a former two-weight world champion.
“I think he’s another one that’s going to try to take me down into the trenches. It’ll be another all-action fight and I think the more he comes at me, the more he’s going to be open to my shots. It’s got the makings of a really competitive battle.
“I belong in a place where I can mix it with the best and the top dogs in the sport, so if I can make a statement by getting the guy out of there then great, but if I can just outclass the guy I will be more than happy.”
Taylor’s 2017 went surprisingly quick as he swept through every obstacle put in front of him. Starting with a warm-up points win over
Alfonso Olvera in Las Vegas, he then dispatched
Warren Joubert in six rounds, dismantled
Ohara Davies in seven, before knocking out Miguel Vasquez in nine.
After all he displayed in the ring last year, Taylor thinks it won’t be long before he’s fighting for world honours.
“Without sounding big-headed, I am not surprised at where I am now. When I turned pro, I expected fights like this to happen and I expected to be fighting for world titles,” said Taylor.
“I expect to be at the top of the game. I just didn’t think it would happen as quick as it has. If I could try and place a better start to my career, I probably couldn’t. I had four phenomenal performances in 2017 and I’m really proud that I have shown my potential. People are starting to recognise me as a real top prospect.”
Ranked No. 5 in the WBC 140lb rankings where previously undisputed champion Terence Crawford is moving up, and Mikey Garcia is preparing to take over, Taylor’s trainer Mcguigan is confident the 27-year-old can return to America, where “The Tartan Tornado” made his debut, and take the country by storm.
“He’s a fighter that I would never try and keep away from certain opponents,” said Mcguigan to BN.
“I believe he has the ability to beat anybody in the 140lb division. That’s
a great fighter to work with. He can overcome any challenge, and Mikey Garcia is one of the best pound-forpound fighters out there. But in three or four fights’ time, I believe Josh Taylor can beat them all. We could even move up to welterweight and clear that lot out. The plan is to get him a world title at home and then take him to the States.”
Taylor added: “I’d like to fight them all and everyone keeps ruling out Mikey Garcia but I think I would do awesome against Garcia. I’ve got too much speed for him, my footwork is better than his. He hits really hard and comes at you like a train, but I’ve been sparring with people two or three weights above me, so I’m used to the heavy-handed guys already. Let’s be honest, before that big fight I will be a bag of nerves in the changing room, but once I step through those ropes, I’ll be full of confidence and it will be the best fight of my career.”
Taylor is adamant that Cyclone chief Barry Mcguigan and his family are the only ones that can guide him to the top, and that relationship was solidified almost instantly.
“I had offers from Eddie Hearn, Frank Warren and MTK Global, but a phone call from Barry persuaded me that he was the man to go with,” Taylor revealed.
“My dad said it was the team to go with because it’s a close-knit group. I was going to the Boxing Writers’ dinner in 2014 – to collect the Amateur Boxer of the Year award – on the train and I got a call from a withheld number. This was five weeks after the Commonwealth Games and my dad said, ‘Hurry up! Answer it. It might be important.’ I answered and all I needed to hear was, ‘Hello Josh, it’s Barry Mcguigan.’ My jaw dropped and I went back to my dad with a big smile to tell him Barry Mcguigan wants to sign me. That was my mind made up then. I didn’t need to speak to anyone else.
“I’ve got a manager who believes in me and has been all the way and done it himself, so I have every faith in him and I’m really happy he’s helped me get to this position and I’m excited to stay with them and see what the future holds.”
It’s only January but Taylor, without question one of the most talented fighters in Britain, is plotting his biggest year yet.
“My dream is within my grasp, but I’m just enjoying this fast ride that has happened so quickly,” he said.
“It’s a really exciting year and I am prepared to jump in the deep end if I have to.”
‘I THINK I WOULD DO AWESOME AGAINST MIKEY GARCIA’