GAME BOY
Ivan: I’ll dump Taylor then go hunting and shooting
JOSH TAYLOR is the man on the title hunt this weekend but he will be up against a rival who is used to stalking his prey.
Ivan Baranchyk landed in Scotland yesterday with his IBF super lightweight title but it’s not just the Tartan Tornado he has in his sights.
The Belarusian plans to end Taylor’s title dream and then hit the Highlands for more biggame hunting.
Baranchyk said: “I love to fish and I love to go shooting, hunting. Maybe if I win on Saturday night I can go and have a break here in Scotland – some hunting and shooting here, after I win the title.”
He’s not in the country for the fishing though. Baranchyk is looking to reel in Taylor and retain his belt, won against Anthony Yigit in the World Boxing Super Series quarter-finals.
His camp have been unhappy at having to cross the Atlantic to make his first defence and it will be a new experience for the fighter nicknamed the Beast to be in the lion’s den.
Baranchyk has a big following in his adopted hometown of Miami in the US but he will be up against Taylor’s 8000-strong army at the Hydro this Saturday.
The champion said: “I am not used to being the bad guy! In the States I have a big following.
“So this is the first time I’m really going to be the outsider coming to a hostile environment.
“I don’t mind coming to Glasgow for my first defence. It’s not tough for me. I’m comfortable, I’m excited. The reason it took so long to come here was nothing to do with me. That was my manager.
“I would fight any place, any time. I’m looking forward to coming here. I like the hostile crowd.
“This will be the most hostile crowd I’ve fought in front of. I’ve never fought in an arena where everybody wants me to lose! But I love that. It motivates me.
“Because I’m not popular, not famous here. And I want to be famous here – I want the Scots to become my fans.”
Baranchyk cut a fiercelooking figure at yesterday’s public workout at the MTK Global gym in Holytown. Small and stocky, he’s a contrast to the tall, slender Taylor and it will be a fascinating clash of styles.
Undefeated in his 19 fights, Baranchyk said: “It’s always better to knock out the opponent. There will be no need for the judges. I will win, 100 per cent. Either I will knock him out or put him down so many times there is no doubt.
“Josh has never run into a brutal fighter, a beast like me. This will be new for him. Let’s see how he handles it. I know how I’ll handle it.”
Baranchyk will also have one of the world’s top trainers in his corner, Freddie Roach. The superstars who have passed through his Los Angeles gym include Manny Pacquiao, Oscar de la Hoya, Miguel Cotto and Amir Khan. Baranchyk added: “Freddie has taken me to a different level. Since working with Freddie maybe I have a surprise. We’ll see in the ring. It’s a secret. “This will be my toughest fight because both me and Josh are very tough fighters, really strong.”