Josh Taylor takes world champ to the limit

Lightweight Josh Taylor came within two punches of tying his European Amateur Championship bout with Italian world 60kg champion Domenico Valentino, who ultimately beat the Lochend fighter 11-9.

Following Taylor's defeat in Ankara, Turkey, Taylor's coach Terry McCormack said: "It was a superb performance to lose by only two points against Valentino, who is 27 to Josh's 20 years and has vastly more ring experience.''

Meanwhile, McCormack repeated his call for the Board of Boxing Control to fast track British Masters welterweight champion Gary McMillan towards a final eliminator for British champion Lee Purdy's title but Board Secretary, Robert Smith had both good and bad news for Capital contender McMillan today.

"Gary McMillan is very much in the mix for an eventual title eliminator but the Board do not recognise British Masters titles as they are not official Board-backed titles so they confer no special status on holders. Until Pursy's next title defence against Craig Watson has taken place it is premature to be talking about eliminators or naming boxers to participate in them. Should McMillan continue to win, however, he'd be a contender for the title along with several other boxers at present.''