From Lochend to Las Vegas: Josh Taylor’s journey to undisputed world champion
In what was only his 18th professional fight, Josh Taylor made boxing history by becoming the first Briton in the four-belt era to become undisputed world champion.
The Scot put his WBA and IBF super lightweight titles on the line against WBC and WBO champion Jose Ramirez, and defeated the Mexican-American on points in Las Vegas.
The victory over the previously unbeaten Ramirez (26-0, 17KOs) means Taylor become Scotland’s first undisputed world champion since Ken Buchanan.
Here’s how the Prestonpans fighter progressed from Commonwealth Games champion who learned his craft in Edinburgh’s Lochend Gym to boxing greatness.
Here’s how the Prestonpans fighter progressed from Commonwealth Games champion who learned his craft in Edinburgh’s Lochend Gym to boxing greatness.
5. Taylor makes it a hat-trick in Belfast
In November 2015 Josh Taylor produced another ruthless display to stop Romanian Daniel Cosman Minescu in the opening round at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast to make it a hat-trick of victories since switching to the paid ranks in June.
Photo: Steven Scott Taylor/JP Licence
6. Praise from Carl Froch
Carl Froch sang Taylor's praises after the Scot dismantled Lyes Chaibi of France at the Manchester Arena in February 2016. A devastating left hook 22 seconds into the second round knocked out Chaibi and Froch, who was on punditry duties, said of Taylor: “I can see him doing well because he has that amateur pedigree. He punches hard and he looked classy on Saturday night.”
Photo: Alex Livesey/Getty Images
7. Onwards and upwards
Taylor secured the fifth victory of his professional career with a first-round stoppage of Miguel Gonzalez at Cardiff's Ice Arena in May 2016. “I felt good and sharp in there,” Taylor said. “I got the job done early. I had three late changes of opponents this week but onwards and upwards and onto the next one.”
Photo: Alex Livesey/Getty Images
8. Taking New York by storm
Josh Taylor made it six professional wins out of six at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, with another devastating display against Evincii Dixon. His American opponent failed to return for the start of the third round, giving Taylor his sixth professional consecutive knockout.
Photo: Ian Rutherford