It’s time Josh Jacks it up a notch or two
You just need to watch a couple of YouTube clips of Josh Taylor sticking opponents on their backsides to see he has some of the best timing in the world.
It’s Sod’s Law that his timing is lousy out of it.
A global pandemic just when things were getting really tasty was a low blow.
Taylor should have spent the last two years flying around the planet on a private jet in between super fights.
At 31, this down to earth lad from Prestonpans is on top of the world but was robbed of the chance to rule from above.
Taylor has fought just twice since his stunning unified world title win against Regis Prograis in London in October 2019.
At least he got the chance to hammer his name into boxing history when he became undisputed champ with his demolition of Jose Ramirez last May.
But it’s time to get going again for one of Scotland’s few genuine global sporting superstars.
Taylor is back to business against Jack Catterall at the Hydro on Saturday – and it’s a long awaited homecoming.
There’s been a lot of guff in the last week or so about Amir Khan and Kell Brook being involved in the Fight of the Year. Aye, if the year was 2012.
Taylor and Catterall are set for a battle of Britain between two prime fighters rather than a couple of pay cheque chasers.
Taylor has also not put on a show on home soil since May 2019 – and the fans want to give him a hero’s welcome home.
But they also want to see their man take care of Catterall and finally open the door to the run of fights that should have already come his way.
Everyone in boxing knows the golden rule. A fighter can’t afford to look beyond his next opponent as if they let their eyes wander, it can derail an entire career.
But that doesn’t stop the rest of us looking down the line.
Catterall is a cracking fighter. He’s undefeated in 26 bouts, has good movement and can take a whack.
But he’s not in Taylor’s league. The Englishman is a top-notch domestic rival who is on the cusp of world level.
But Taylor is one of the best on the planet in any division. He just needs to show it on Saturday – because what happens next is mouth-watering.
Taylor could easily hang around the light welterweight division, pick off a few mandatory challengers and wait for the next big thing in his weight class to take him on in a huge contest.
But you can’t help but think the Tartan Tornado is at his best when he is the hunter.
That’s why you’ve got to think he’ll step up a weight – to where some big beasts roam.
None more so than Terence Crawford.
A picture of the pound for pound king should be on Taylor’s wall.
There are others too. The winner of Errol Spence Jr’s clash with Yordenis Ugas would be tasty, with the likes of Danny Garcia and Shawn Porter potential crackers.
Heck, Taylor could even take on Khan or Brook on the way if he fancies a nice payday.
The super Scot is on the path to being this country’s best ever – but now he’s got to make up for lost time.