Superfight on Scottish soil is Taylor’s target
World champion wants capital clash with big name after joining top promoter Arum
JOSH TAYLOR has made it clear to legendary promoter Bob Arum that he wants to bring his careerdefining contests back to Scotland — after being told that a multi-million-dollar superfight with Terence Crawford is part of the plan for him at Top Rank.
Taylor has signed a promotional deal with Arum’s Las Vegas-based Top Rank stable and is expected to defend his WBA and IBF world titles against Thai Apinun Khongsong before meeting WBC and WBO champion Jose Ramirez in a unification bout towards the end of the year.
Arum is also keen to put WBO welterweight kingpin Crawford, another of his fighters, in with WBA and IBF belt-holder Errol Spence in 2020, with the option of Taylor stepping up in weight to face him — providing he wins.
Taylor is happy to fight at 147lbs after cleaning up his current weight class and wants to make his name in the States after signing a major deal there, but he insists that he would still love his major bouts to be staged on this side of the Atlantic.
‘I have fought in America three times on the undercard to Carl Frampton and it just fed the bug even more to be involved in these fights and see my name in the big, bright lights in Vegas or Madison Square Garden,’ he said.
‘That is what most fighters in the UK dream of when they turn pro, or even as amateurs. Of course I want to do that.
‘But if I could get these big fights in Scotland and give my home fans and my home country massive fights and massive nights, I would love to do it. Preferably, with Edinburgh Castle in the background at night in the summer.
‘The biggest goal for me is the Ramirez fight — or Viktor Postol, if he comes through.
‘We’ll see what comes. If it is in America, I am happy to come and bring a big support over. I am open for anything.
‘I just want the best challenges out there. I am always driving to go
bigger and better and I need to kind of have the fear factor.
‘Whoever brings the biggest challenge is who I want to face. If I win all the belts, I can fight whoever wants to come up (from lightweight) or move up myself in weight to 147lbs and, hopefully, win a title up there.
‘The door is open for me to massive opportunities and huge fights both in the UK and America. I can’t wait.’
Crawford has fought before in Scotland, overpowering
Ricky Burns to win the WBO lightweight title at Glasgow’s
SEC in 2014, and has gone on to become one of the biggest names in the fight game.
Asked if there was a possibility of the winner of Taylor-Ramirez meeting Crawford, Arum told US channel Blue Blood Sports TV: ‘Yeah, I think so.
‘Obviously, the best fight that people want to see is Terence Crawford and Errol Spence. Hopefully, we will be able to work out a deal for that fight.
‘Josh is a great addition to Top Rank, a great fighter. He proved himself winning the World Series of Boxing.
‘We are looking forward to promoting him and doing some big fights for him. We have another 140lb guy who is sensational in Jose Ramirez and, hopefully, at some time by the end of the year, they will be ready to fight each other.’
Taylor, in an interview with his new, contracted TV network ESPN, has also expressed the view he now ranks alongside Crawford as one of boxing’s top performers and believes he will prove that when that planned clash with Ramirez for the undisputed 140lb crown comes along.
‘I think I deserve to be mentioned in the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world,’ said the 29-year-old, already being linked with a tie-up with US cornerman Freddie Roach after splitting from manager Barry McGuigan and his son Shane, who trained him during his time with Cyclone Promotions.
‘My last three performances have been against great fighters and I have put in great performances, so I do believe I should be in the top 10.
‘I believe I have proved I am No1 in the division. There is the fighter there with the other two belts in Jose Ramirez and, obviously, I would want to go and fight him next or as soon as I can.
‘He has to fight Postol on February 1 and, hopefully, I get whoever comes through the winner of that and unify all the belts. That’s a short-term goal.
‘I respect Jose Ramirez and he has to respect me as well. He has a fighter’s heart and a champion’s mindset and he also believes he is the best.
‘I think that fight will bring out the best in me because he certainly comes to fight. Ramirez will come looking for me as he is an all-action, offensive fighter, so I believe it has the makings of a great fight with fireworks involved.
‘Stylistically, I believe it is tailor-made for me.
‘We are both under the same banner now and there is no reason why the fight can’t happen. Let’s get it on.’
If I could give my home fans massive fights, then I’d love to do that