DAVID AVANESYAN has told Boxing News that despite coming off a sixth-round loss to world welterweight champion Terence Crawford at the CHI Health Center, Omaha on December 10, 2022, he is still in the hunt for big fights and wants to box Scotland’s former super-lightweight king Josh Taylor if terms can be agreed with Sky Sports and Boxxer, who are thought to be keen on the fight.
BN understands that the contest has been discussed by both camps. It would be a good comeback fight for both boxers as Taylor lost to Teofimo Lopez at the Hulu Theatre, Madison Square in June so will be keen to bounce back as quickly as possible. Taylor has long voiced his intention to move up to welterweight where the Armenian is happy to answer the call.
Taylor had a close call against Jack Catterall in his first defence of his undisputed title in February of last year, winning a contentious split decision that warranted a return. Catterall repeatedly asked for a rematch before Taylor lost to Lopez.
Avanesyan had been on a run of six wins before his reverse to Crawford. Retirement has never crossed his mind, though.
“I am getting older and have been stopped by Crawford in a big fight,” he told Boxing News. “But now I might get more fight offers and people will want to fight me. Form a queue. I will fight anyone you put in front of me.
“I respect Taylor and his team, let’s just make a fight and have a fight. Why not do it? We have been in talks, but I have not heard back. I like to fight so am here to make it happen. I am ready to go again. I have been asking it.”
“We would take it in a heartbeat,” added Neil Marsh, his manager. “We respect Josh and his team. We are ready to take the fight against Josh or anyone else who fancies it. It’s a great TV fight — one for the fans. Let’s get it done. If it happens, may the best man win.”
A former European welterweight titlist, the 35-year-old is back in training in order to maximise the rest of his time in the ring. “Taylor is a fantastic fighter,” he added. “I know what it is like to comeback from a defeat and I am ready if I get a call to fight.”
