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Nick Parkinson
Josh Taylor owns all of the world titles at junior welterweight, however he insists he’s hungry for extra as he targets the welterweight division after Saturday’s battle with Jack Catterall (5 p.m. ET on ESPN+).
Taylor, who is called “The Tartan Twister,” has been starved of dwelling assist since 2019 attributable to coronavirus restrictions, and is wanting ahead to his first battle in Scotland since he beat Ivan Baranchyk in Glasgow, to start his reign as world champion.
Taylor (18-0, 13 KOs), 31, from Edinburgh, defends his WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO junior welterweight titles towards fellow southpaw Catterall (26-0, 13 KOs), 28, from Chorley, Lancashire, after unifying the belts via a unanimous points win over Jose Ramirez, from California, in Might.
To get a battle as massive because the one versus Ramirez once more, Taylor must step up a division which he plans to do offering he beats English challenger Catterall.
The welterweight division is full of expertise, akin to pound-for-pound No. 1 and WBO champion Terence Crawford, WBC-IBF champion Errol Spence, Vergil Ortiz Jr., Jaron Ennis and Keith Thurman.
Taylor says the prospect of larger fights past Catterall means he has not been missing in motivation for Saturday even when it’s not as prestigious as his final outing.
“It is fairly straightforward actually [to stay motivated] as a result of he is coming to take what I’ve labored so laborious to attain and he is bought the possibility to do it in a single battle, hit the jackpot,” Taylor advised ESPN.
“I’ve nonetheless bought huge targets I need to obtain within the sport. I need to be on the high for so long as potential and I’ve bought an abundance of want to remain high canine on this weight division, however I really feel I’ve achieved so much at this weight division now and all that’s left to do is defend the titles again and again.
“I need to obtain extra within the sport than that and add extra titles to my title, to grow to be a two-weight undisputed world champion, which is one thing that hasn’t been achieved from somebody on this nation. These are huge targets and that is how I preserve hungry, I’ve nonetheless bought these items I need to obtain.
“There are massive fights on the market for me on the horizon in order it goes effectively towards Catterall. I need to go down as the most effective from Britain in current historical past, and to attain that I’ve to verify nothing goes unsuitable in my subsequent battle.”
Crawford’s recent lawsuit against promoter Top Rank, which promotes the American in addition to Taylor, has not given Taylor cause to suppose once more a few future battle with the Nebraska native.
“No it would not, it is nonetheless a battle that’s fairly straightforward to make,” Taylor stated.
“Simply because one thing like that is occurring, it is nonetheless a battle that might be made.”
Taylor, who has been coaching in England with coach Ben Davison, is wanting ahead to listening to some cheers once more at The SSE Hydro in Glasgow on Saturday, the identical venue the place he was first topped world champion.
“I can not wait to field in entrance of my very own followers once more, it is even higher now as a result of all COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted and it is the primary time I’ve boxed at dwelling for a couple of years,” he stated.
“Actually, I’ve not boxed in entrance of a capability crowd since I beat Regis Prograis in London in Might 2019. My final two fights have been behind closed doorways after which with a restricted crowd, when none of my followers from dwelling may journey to see me battle Ramirez due to the coronavirus restrictions which was actually irritating for them and me.”
Catterall has by no means boxed for a world title earlier than, or confronted an elite opponent earlier than, however Taylor believes he presents an even bigger problem than lots of people anticipate.
“He is an excellent fighter, he has not boxed on the degree I’ve as an expert however that is as a result of he isn’t had the chance,” he stated.
“He is bought good boxing IQ, and really good within the ring and he is fairly heavy-handed so I must respect that on the night time. I’ve bought a more durable battle on my fingers than individuals anticipate.”
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