This Friday, at Meadowbank in Edinburgh, Josh Taylor defends his Commonwealth super-lightweight title.
His opponent, in the opposite corner, will be the South African fighter Warren Joubert.
The bout has all the makings of being a classic.
Ahead of the eagerly anticipated contest, Taylor has spoken about the inspiration he gets from a former Scottish world title holder, the legend that is Ken Buchanan.
Talking about their friendship, Taylor is quoted a shaving remarked to the media,
‘He gives me bits of advice – how to carry myself outside the gym as well as inside it.
‘And on how to dedicate my life. You can’t buy that experience.’
It seems their friendship blossomed when the pair first met at the gym where Taylor first started his career in the amateur game, with Taylor further adding,
‘I used to spend a lot of time with him in the gym, he still comes in.
‘I see him all the time and have a chat with him every time he’s in. He sees that I am dedicated and he gives me good advice every time he’s in, which is brilliant.’
And as for the big fight this Friday night, Taylor remarked,
‘If I can get him out of there in the first round I will, you don’t get paid any overtime, but I don’t think it’s going to go that way.
‘I’ve trained for a hard fight so I’m expecting one and if it is a hard fight I’m more than ready for it.
‘We’ll put his character to the test on Friday, we’ll put his chin to the test and we’ll put his body to the test as well.
‘I’m getting into the zone now, into fight mode. The training is all done now and I just want to get in there and get the job done.’
But Joubert, who is called ?The Warrior? hasn?t come all the way to Scotland to just be cannon-fodder for the 2014 Commonwealth Games gold medallist and is quoted by the media as having remarked,
‘The crowd might inspire Josh a bit but they can’t get in the ring and fight for him, so it comes down to the two of us coming face-to-face.
‘I am confident but I never want to be one of those fighters who are over-confident. I know I have a tough fight ahead. Josh is a good fighter but we haven’t come here for a holiday, we’ve come for a fight and that’s why they call me The Warrior – I’m ready for tough fights.’
Joubert arrives in Scotland having had thirty-five fights and lost just four.
Taylor, last time out, beat Alfonso Olvera as he showcased his talents in Las Vegas.
Here at Vital Boxing we?re tipping Taylor to win but the fight could go the full twelve round distance.
Taylor v Joubert ? Meadowbank, Scotland
