At his best, Josh Taylor was an undisputed champion at his preferred weight, but has stepped up to welterweight for the first time after suffering back-to-back defeats
Josh Taylor is an all-time British great, a former undisputed champion at super-lightweight. At Taylor’s peak, Saturday’s opponent Ekow Essuman would not get near him, but in these twilight years, and at welterweight for the first time, the scales are more in balance.
I first saw Taylor at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow 11 years ago and knew immediately that I wanted to work with him. He was a very good, aggressive, attacking fighter. But when you fight like that your time at the top is limited.
You want to be exciting, throw lots of punches and put bums on seats. He has done all of that, but I’m not sure he is going to be hitting the heights again. I have great admiration for what he has achieved and always knew he would find it hard to walk away.
He has fought only three times in four years and is coming off successive defeats to Teofimo Lopez and Jack Caterall. He can no longer make 140 pounds, which, at 34, is another sign of ageing.
I’m not sure 147 is going to be right for him. He is not the same fighter. Like everybody you have your peak years, and when the skills diminish you should really call it a day.
But Taylor loves the game, he loves the fight, the intensity of the contest. In our last match together in 2019, Regis Prograis was expected to beat him in their huge unification bout at the O2 in London.
Taylor completely dominated him, hitting hard behind that wicked southpaw lead. He doesn’t need to prove himself and I can’t believe he needs the money.
How can he surpass what he has already achieved? If he wins he might get another title shot on the back of his name and past success, but to what end I don’t know.
I’m not sure he can ever rekindle the magic that he had with us at 140 pounds. That was his weight. It’s the age old story. Some fighters find it hard to say enough is enough.
It’s his decision, obviously, and he may well look good against this guy, but I don’t see him beating the best at welterweight Jaron Boots Ennis holds the WBA and IBF titles, and Brian Norman Jnr. the WBO belt. They are bigger, stronger, and both packed into the weight.
Moreover they are keen as mustard, with the same ambition that he had at the top of his game. Sadly, those days are never coming back.
Follow Barry on X at @ClonesCyclone @mcguigan’s_Gym