JOSH TAYLOR has warned he could be in for an even more dangerous second defence of his WBC Silver super-lightweight belt after a late change of opponent.
But the Scot is confident he can knock out Nicaraguan Winston Campos once he gets to grips with the challengerโs style.
The Prestonpans fighter was scheduled to fight experienced Mexican Humberto Soto at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow on Saturday until the former world champion pulled out citing a bad cut.
Campos agreed to step in at short notice as he was training for another fight and Taylor feels the 25-year-old will pose a different threat.
At the final press conference #TaylorVsCampos pic.twitter.com/qZAmN3eOBJ
โ Josh Taylor (@JoshTaylorBoxer) March 1, 2018
The challengerโs third and most recent defeat in his 38-fight career came against former lightweight world champion Ismael Barroso in 2013 and four of his five victories last year came inside the distance.
Commonwealth Games gold medallist Taylor said: โThis is a harder fight than my original opponent. He comes to fight more, heโs taller and it looks like he punches quite hard as well.
โObviously, I had nearly a full camp preparing for a different fighter in Humberto Soto, but I feel confident that Iโll be able to adapt to Winston Campos.
โHeโs taller, heโs a southpaw and heโs dangerous, but Iโm feeling great and thereโs only one winner. It might take me a couple of rounds to adjust to his style, but I think the stoppage will come.โ
I donโt know if he was trying to smell me or kiss me, but he just about received a welcome to Scotland by Glasgow kiss ! #TTT #AndStill pic.twitter.com/RI7f33sNiR
โ Josh Taylor (@JoshTaylorBoxer) March 1, 2018
The pair clashed at a media conference in Glasgow with Taylor moving his head into his opponentโs after the visitor leaned in close.
And Campos has promised more fireworks on Saturday night.
โI know that Josh Taylor is a good fighter, but I have fought better guys than him,โ he said.
โI will look to hunt him down from the first bell. I want him to know that he is in for a fight. Letโs hope Josh wants to fight too and we can give the fans a war.
โI feel strong, I feel aggressive and I think that belt is going back with me to Nicaragua.โ