Taylor has ability to fight Burns now but timing is vital, says McGuigan

BARRY McGUIGAN does not doubt that Josh Taylor has the ability to challenge Ricky Burns’ status as world super lightweight champion.

But the ring legend insists that timing is everything as far as Taylor is concerned following the 26-year-old Prestonpans boxer’s latest success in retaining his Commonwealth title at Meadowbank Sports Centre against South African Warren Joubert by dint of a sixth-round stoppage.

“Josh has got so many gears that he made a guy with 35 fights under his belt look like a novice,” said McGuigan.

“It was a great performance. It wasn’t faultless, though, and he’ll need to make some slight adjustments. But I’ve been so impressed.

“He’s used to being flat-out at 100mph for three rounds, but he’s now learning to take his time.

“He’s got the ability to fight Burns just now. My only concern is the gap between having nine professional fights to world level. Let’s say he gets there in 12. Where do you go after that?

“You can’t just pause and hold those titles for a couple of years. That’s the dilemma.

“You’ve also got to look at Ricky. Will he beat Julius Indongo, who is a heavy puncher and seems fresh? I certainly hope so because we are in a very envious position.

“We’ve got to look at where we will be in five or six months’ time, keeping our fingers crossed Burns wins. I can’t say how long it will take, but I can see him with the likes of Crawford or Broner and that ilk eventually.

“We know boxing can change in the blink of an eye, but he’s on the road and he’s a special talent, a future world champion.”

Taylor’s manager also revealed the undefeated fighter has his heart set on appearing at the capital’s most famous landmark in the foreseeable future.

He added: “It’s his dream to box at Edinburgh Castle and we’ll have to make that work one day. But we’ll need 200 Renfield Street, Glasgow G2 3QB. email: sport@theherald.co.uk. Tel 0141 302 7156 Head of Sport Stewart Weir to find the one month of the year where it doesn’t p*** down in Edinburgh!

“We’d also like to move him around. He’s already fought in America three times.

“Things are going to get tougher but it’s going to be exciting. Maybe next time we will take him to Glasgow because we don’t just want him to be pigeonholed.

“We want him to be a Scottish fighter, not just an Edinburgh fighter. Boxing support is tribal like football but this fellow is going to be a national hero.”