JOSH TAYLOR’S shot at undisputed immortality has been confirmed for May 22 – and will hopefully set up another date with his hero.
Scotland’s WBA and IBF super-lightweight champ has his chance to complete the set against WBC and WBO boss Jose Ramirez.
Josh Taylor, pictured with Scottish legend Ken Buchanan, will fight Jose Ramirez on May 22Credit: Instagram / @joshtaylorbox1
Former undisputed lightweight king Ken Buchanan, 75, is living in a care homeCredit: Instagram / @joshtaylorbox1
Jose Ramirez and Josh Taylor are officially fightingCredit: Getty Images – Getty
And the 30-year-old southpaw wants to get the mission completed in time to perk up Edinburgh legend Ken Buchanan, the 75-year-old undisputed lightweight king, who is living in a care home.
“He used to come to my old amateur gym, Lochend, when I was an 18-19 year-old kid, and train,” Taylor told SunSport.
“I would be training and when I finished he would tell me great old stories about Muhammad Ali and winning his world titles.
“Even back then he would tell me I would be a world champion but also give me tips and advice on how to fight in the ring but also live the life outside it.
“When I beat Regis Prograis to add the WBA to my IBF in 2019 he came down to my mum and dad’s house and said ‘you proved me right, son, well done’.
“He hasn’t been too well lately, he is living in a home so it would mean a lot to get all the belts and take them in to see him, that would be really cool.”
Taylor produced the best boxing quote of 2020 when he claimed his September KO win over Apinun Khongsong would have Ramirez’ manager Rick Mirigian’s “a******* twitching like a rabbit’s nose”.
The 17-0 Prestonpans ace burst out laughing when reminded of his quip in the office of trainer Ben Davison’s Henlow gym.
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But he is deadly serious about punishing Team Ramirez over how they have tried to discredit and dismiss him.
He said: “That comment was true, I wasn’t just being funny.
“I think they wish they had an alternative fight to take, like another mandatory to fulfil as an excuse to avoid me.
“His manager has had a lot to say about me in the past so it will be good to prove him wrong and give Ramirez a bit of a beating.”
Taylor’s potential coronation is likely to land in America but he is doing everything he can to land a homecoming afterwards.
Edinburgh Castle has always been his dream venue, but Taylor feels boxing is not in Vogue with the landmark as they prefer a certain pointy-chested pop star, but he won’t get Hung Up about it.
Josh Taylor is the current IBF, WBA and Ring Magazine champCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Trainer Ben Davison on the pads with Josh TaylorCredit: Jamie McPhilimey – The Sun
He said: “It’s been a bit frustrating trying to plan a fight at the Castle because they and the council have gone a bit quiet on it, they don’t seem to be up for having a massive Scottish event there – but they’ll happily host Madonna concerts.
“It would be a dream to fight there on a summer night, it looks spectacular.
“But it looks more like the Hibernian ground Easter Road, they are much more interested in doing it.
“They have told me I am really welcome there and they would put on a big show.
“And even if we get some of that famous Scottish summer weather, the stands would at least shield some people from the rain!
“There is a lot of rivalry between the fans, like Hibs and Hearts, but I wouldn’t want anyone to stay away because of that, it would be great to bring everyone together.”
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Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
