Taylor taking no chances ahead of Vazquez bout
OHARA DAVIES talked a good game before being silenced by Josh Taylor at Braehead Arena in July. By contrast, Commonwealth and WBC silver super lightweight champion Taylor suspects that Mexican Miguel Vazquez’s credentials as an ex-world champion speak louder than words. Consequently, the undefeated, 26year-old Edinburgh boxer is taking extra care in his preparations for his 11th contest at the capital’s Royal Highland Centre on November 11. Taylor, who is managed and promoted by Barry McGuigan, will tread carefully in the knowledge that any slip-up will almost certainly be punished by Vazquez. He said: ‘I respect Vazquez, so I have been really focused. I’m within touching distance of a shot at a world title, but I need to win this fight to put myself in that position. ‘It could be my hardest fight, but it could be one round. I catch him or he could put me on my backside. You just never know. ‘I’ve mentally prepared for it being the toughest fight of my career and it’s certainly the most important. ‘I’ve been flying in the gym and I feel good. I’ve been put through my paces by Shane McGuigan and have already done four or five 12-round spars, so I’m feeling ahead of schedule. We’ve changed the style of sparring partners. ‘I’ve been sparring a guy called Chris Kongo, a welterweight, for the last three or four weeks. ‘He can stand and have a fight, but he can also move, which I think Vazquez is going to be like. ‘We’ve been working on pace, but also being patient at the same time. You’ve got to go through two or three phases with this guy before you attack again.’ Taylor enjoyed the trash talk before his last fight, explaining it’s all part of the game and makes winning all the sweeter. But he is not in the business of embellishing his record with easy wins after revealing he made it clear to McGuigan when he turned pro that he didn’t want to box too many journeymen or opponents below his class. ‘That would be taking a step back,’ he said. ‘I was fighting the best guys in the world as an amateur and I’ve jumped up in class every time since. ‘This is genuinely a really good fight for me and I’m nervous about it. But it’s also one I’m confident of winning.’ Taylor has been joined at Cyclone Promotions by British amateur champion Lee McGregor, also from Edinburgh. McGregor has chosen to join the paid ranks at the age of 20 rather than compete at next year’s Commonwealth Games in Queensland. Taylor said: ‘Lee is a great addition to the stable. ‘He’s settled in well and he seems to be enjoying working with Shane. ‘Even in the last month or so, you can see the subtle differences in his style and punching power. He has improved a lot.’