Scot isn’t Joshing around
Josh Taylor is still a couple of wins away from being a world champion – but trainer Shane McGuigan admits he already has the swagger of one.
The undefeated superlightweight faces American Ryan Martin in a World Boxing Super Series quarter-final in Glasgow on Saturday night.
Victory would give the Prestonpans puncher a shot at the IBF title in the semis then the WBA belt plus the Muhammad Ali trophy in the series showpiece.
And McGuigan doesn’t doubt the 27-year-old is capable of fulfilling his dreams of ring glory after making it 13 pro wins from 13 against Viktor Postol in June.
Taylor confessed to being nervy before his last bout and McGuigan said: “Josh overcame a lot that night and that has got the nerves out of him.
“He has brought a level of confidence to this camp I thought was going to take a little bit longer. The fight was his first 12-rounder and a high-paced one where losing some rounds and overcoming some other things has given him huge confidence, which I’ve seen in the gym.
“A few years ago Josh was the prospect but now he is fighting in a high-profile tournament after being transitioned so fast.
“He is one of the championship fighters in the gym and younger ones like Lee McGregor look up to him. He’s got to that level of confidence now where he feels like he has to set an example for the next ones coming through.
“He’s carrying himself like a world champion and that’s the right thing to do.”
While McGuigan believes a 14th straight win awaits, he warns that Martin poses a genuine threat.
He said: “Sometimes he walks in with his hands high and takes it to you traditionally. Other times he has a wider stance and leans back – and that in itself is going to be tricky for Josh.
“But Josh beats him on every single aspect. He’s a bit quicker at distance and he’ll be a little bit too cute and clever on the inside.
“What he must do is make sure he executes the game plan to perfection. But we wouldn’t have entered him if I didn’t believe he could win the whole thing.”