Taylor admits surprise at BBC
THE FAME is something he could live without. Even when the gloves are hung up, you won’t find Josh Taylor pitching for a place on I’m A Celebrity or Strictly Come Dancing.
But recognition for achieving something truly remarkable? The WBA and IBF super-lightweight world champion certainly wouldn’t object. Taylor, the first Scot to unify a division since the great Ken Buchanan, admits to feeling a little aggrieved at being completely overlooked for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year shortlist. ‘I was a wee bit surprised I didn’t get nominated,’ he insisted. ‘But they tend to go for more middle-class sports like athletics or golf and stuff. ‘It would have been nice to get nominated but it’s not something I give too much thought about. ‘Tyson Fury should have been nominated a couple of years ago. But boxing seems to get overlooked for some reason. ‘Maybe because it’s the working man’s sport, I don’t know. But I probably should have been nominated, at least.’ Noting that even the great Buchanan was pipped to the main prize by Princess Anne back in 1971, Taylor added: ‘I’ve had 16 fights and unified the division. ‘So I should have been nominated. I should get a mention. ‘But you’ve known me long enough, I’m not that interested in all that side of things. ‘I’m not in boxing for the fame. It doesn’t bother me, getting photographs taken. ‘But, in terms of being a celebrity and being Sports Personality of the Year, I’m not fussed. ‘So, no, I don’t think I’ll be on I’m A
Celebrity in the future. I’d probably get kicked off after a day — everybody would hate me! Maybe Strictly. If The Cube’s still on, maybe The Chase. ‘I could skydive into the jungle, right enough — then get kicked out the next day!’ Since his victory over Regis Prograis to become a double world champ, Taylor has worked hard at the art of relaxation. With a mandatory defence of his IBF title on the cards for February or March, though, he’s ready to start grafting again.
Having spent part of yesterday attending the opening of the new healthy-alternative German Doner Kebab outlet on Edinburgh’s Lothian Road, he was heading straight to the gym afterwards. Taylor’s also been moving house in recent weeks, into a new build property — with all the attendant hassles. Revealing that he’s still sleeping on a mattress on the floor after a problem with his bed delivery, the holder of the Muhammad Ali Trophy said: ‘My first night in the new house was on Sunday there. ‘We’ve still not really got anything. We’ve got a dining table, a kettle, a toaster and a couple of deckchairs — and the TV from my old bedroom. ‘We’ve had Ken Buchanan round to the house to congratulate me. It meant a lot and he gave me his tartan scarf. I told him that was for him and it was a great moment. ‘I do notice that things have changed more when I’m out these days. If I’m out relaxing in town with mates, you end up getting photos taken all night. It’s strange but I always try to keep it quiet. ‘We went out after being at Hibs at the weekend but I went in to a club to see my mate who is a DJ — and I left after about five minutes. It’s nice to get the attention but it’s not really my style.’ Hardly a shrinking violet, Taylor posted a video of him and better-half Danielle donning parachutes for a day out with a difference during a recent sunshine break. The 28-year-old grinned as he revealed: ‘I said to Danielle: “That’s me booked it — but you’re doing it as well!”. I roped her in to doing it. But she turned up in a dress! ‘She wasn’t keen but she was glad she did it in the end. ‘I was a bit nervous when the plane was taking off. I was thinking there’s no going back now and it was a bit nerve-racking being at the back of the plane — but I was probably more nervous before the Prograis fight. ‘I’m a bit of an adrenaline junkie. I always wanted to do a bungee jump but when I looked in to it, I kept seeing things on YouTube about it going wrong. The sky diving was safer! ‘It was great to just chill out as it’s been a pretty mental 18 months.’ The ultimate focus for Taylor remains on removing the WBC and WBO belts from current holder Jose Ramirez — although that fight won’t take place until the summer, assuming both win bouts in the interim. After that? Well, Taylor said: ‘We might sneak one in before the end of next year, so three fights would be ideal. ‘A handy one at the end of the year, a wee voluntary defence. I think I am due one. Someone in the top 50 or a bin man. ‘But fights like that can be a banana skin if you take your eye off the ball and the guy you choose is right up for it, because it’s his chance to become world champion.’
Taylor was speaking ahead of a community event for young boxers at the German Doner Kebab restaurant on Edinburgh’s Lothian Road this Sunday.