Josh Taylor has achieved the greatest heights and endured the lowest ebbs of boxing over the past five years.
The 33-year-old Scot has had a tremendous run from 2019 to 2021, defeating Ivan Baranchyk, Regis Prograis, Apinun Khongsong and Jose Ramirez to become the 140-pound king and international star.
Then came 2022 and last year, which brought him back to earth. He struggled to beat Jack Catterall by one controversial decision and was then eliminated in a unanimous decision loss to Teofimo Lopez last June. The former damaged his reputation, the latter cost him his title.
And the rematch with Catterall was postponed twice because of Taylor’s injuries, first to his leg and then his eye, adding to his frustration.
He will have the chance to put all that behind him and regain some of what he lost when he faces his British opponent for a second time on Saturday night at First Direct Arena in Leeds (ESPN+).
“It’s just another week of fighting and on Saturday it’s just another fight,” Taylor, 33, said at a news conference Thursday. “I’m looking forward to putting all of this behind me and continuing my career and proving that last time was just an off night.
“Look at the history of boxing. All the great boxers of the past took defeat and came back and won the world title again. Just because you receive a defeat, it doesn’t mean you are a perfect warrior.
“I think that’s when boxing gets worse because when a fighter loses, everyone says, ‘Ah he’s done,’ and stuff like that. But in the UFC, there are fighters who have fought 20 fights and lost 10 but they are still at the top of their game and still fighting.
“Just because you lose doesn’t mean you’re a bad fighter. I still feel that I am at the top of the game and on Saturday I will take care of business and I am back in that position and reclaimed my titles.”
Taylor (19-1, 13 KOs) was lucky to get his hand raised after his first fight with southpaw teammate Catterall (28-1, 13 KOs).
The then champion fell from a backhand in the eighth round, leaving Taylor’s hometown fans in Glasgow stunned. And he could never control the fight, even though he tried his best during it.
He made it clear after the match: “It wasn’t my best performance.”
“The last fight was terrible for both of us,” Taylor said Thursday. “Jack kept and damaged a lot, the speed slowed down, I was also very bad. I believe we can both be a lot better and it would be a better fight for the fans.
“It’s going to be a big storm, we were at the arena on Monday and it was a bit of a surprise, it was right over your head. So it will be a great experience and atmosphere there.”
It’s been a while since Taylor had such a wonderful experience.
