The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
McGuigan tips ‘humble’ Taylor to be superstar
Scot described as ‘role model’
Barry McGuigan has tipped Josh Taylor to become a superstar ahead of his first professional title fight – but with the humility and manners he expects of his fighters.
Scottish Commonwealth Games gold medalist Taylor kept his composure on Wednesday under verbal assault from Clifton Mitchell, the trainer of his opponent in tonight’s Commonwealth super-lightweight title fight, Dave Ryan.
Mitchell’s attempts to question the credentials of Taylor and his unsubtle predictions for the Edinburgh fight – he claimed Ryan would pull his arms and legs off – momentarily got to McGuigan, who demanded the Derby promoter apologise after the fight, which will be screened live on Channel 5.
That request received short shrift, but Cyclone Promotions boss McGuigan is keen for his fighters to set a good example.
The former world champion said: “We have to have guys who show the guys coming up how to behave. Because it’s not just about being a good boxer, it’s about being a role model.
“We set a culture in the gym, they all work very hard, have great fun, and are respectful to our opponents and are good people.
“It’s a very dangerous sport, as we saw in the last couple of weeks. There is no need to be a smart Alec, no need to be rude. The world is full of vulgarity, we don’t need any more of it. We want all our guys to be humble and Josh is the epitome of that.
“Josh is a super-talented kid, very humble, very professional, and just wait and see what happens on Friday night. Josh Taylor is going to be a superstar, I promise you.”
Mitchell’s diatribe came less than three weeks after Dundee boxer Mike Towell died following injuries received in a British title eliminator.
McGuigan said: “It’s important for us to give a good example because all the guys in the boxing game are good people, it’s just idiots like him (Mitchell) who think it’s better to be cocky and arrogant. The world is full of arrogance, everyone is sick to death of it.
“He said he’s going to bash Josh’s face in, which is bad language in light of what’s happened to young Mike Towell. We should try and conduct ourselves in a mannerly fashion.”