Scots boxing champion Josh Taylor promises to visit teenager battling leukaemia

Kind-hearted world boxing champion Josh Taylor has vowed to visit a teenager who is battling leukaemia after his next huge fight.

Double champ Josh steps into the ring with American Jose Ramirez for the unifying title scrap in Las Vegas on May 22.

The Tartan Tornado, from Prestonpans, already holds the WBA and IBF titles while his opponent currently holds the WBC and WBO belts.

But the Scots champion took time out of his busy training schedule in the US last week to send a personal video message to 15-year-old Aidan Hogg who was recently diagnosed with leukaemia.

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - MARCH 04: Josh Taylor during the press conference to his world super-lightweight title fight against Apinun Khongsong at The Hilton Hotel, Glasgow on March 04, 2020 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Bill Murray / SNS Group)

The schoolboy is currently undergoing treatment in Edinburgh’s Royal Hospital for Children and Young People.

Josh, 30, told the teenager: “Hello Aidan, I hope you’re well. Obviously I’m making this little video as I know the bad news. I heard you are battling leukaemia at the minute.

“This is just a little video to say keep strong and I hope you're keeping well.

“This video is just for you personally and I hope to see you soon.

“I will be back from my fight in about eight weeks so when I get back from the fight I will come through and see you personally with a signed glove and t-shirts for you.

“I’ll see you soon, pal. Take care and stick in.”

Aidan’s mum, Emma Davidson, from Musselburgh, East Lothian, posted the heartwarming video clip on social media.

She said: “A lovely message for Aidan from world champion boxer Josh Taylor Such a lovely gesture from the champ.”

Aidan had felt unwell towards in February and complained of a sore back.

Initially doctors thought he had a kidney infection but a few nights later he was struggling to walk and was taken to Edinburgh’s Royal Hospital for Sick Children.

He was diagnosed shorty afterwards and is preparing for a second round of chemotherapy.

A GoFundMe page set up by family friend Trudie Murphy has raised almost £10,000.

Taylor became a world champion in May 2019 with a points victory over Ivan Baranchyk.

The IBF champion then defeated Regis Prograis in the World Boxing Super Series final to add the WBA World Light Welterweight title to his collection.

Victory over Ramirez in Las Vegas would make Taylor the undisputed champion of the division.

Visit www.gofundme.com/f/fightlikeakid-for-aidan-hogg to donate.

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