ALONGSIDE Ken Buchanan, Josh Taylor sits as just the second Scotsman to become an undisputed champion. However, he believes that Nathaniel Collins could become the third man from north of the border to achieve boxing’s most arduous achievement.
Taylor, 19-3 (13 KOs), overcame Ivan Baranchyk, Regis Prograis and Jose Carlos Ramirez to complete a phenomenal run to the undisputed crown and cement his place in the history books.
Yet, three consecutive defeats to Teofimo Lopez, Jack Catterall and Ekow Essuman over the last couple of years proved that the powers of ‘The Tartan Tornado’ had faded and the Edinburgh-born southpaw hung up the gloves earlier this year as a result.
Speaking on the Queensberry Promotions YouTube channel, Taylor beamed with pride at the influence he had on Scottish boxing and explained why he tried to fight in Scotland at every opportunity during his professional career.
“There has only ever been one fighter every so often to come through [from Scotland]. When I came through, I was able to provide all of the nights up in Scotland, I was always getting asked whether I wanted to fight in London or here or there and I always said no, it was here, [in Scotland] and in Glasgow.
“That way, the fighters who are on the undercard, most of them were Scottish and they could get the chance to showcase their skills on the big stage, which is an opportunity that we get starved of up here.
“Mostly, the [Scottish] fighters are having to go down south to fight on undercards and stuff. So, every chance that I had to fight, I tried to make sure that it was in Scotland so then the Scottish lads get first dibs for a change.
“I was very proud to be able to provide that and give the lads the opportunity to showcase their skills.”
Now, there is another Scotsman that is seeking to announce himself on the world stage, as Nathaniel Collins, 17-0 (8 KOs), attempts to move on from his domestic level successes and enter the featherweight mix.
Speaking directly to Collins, Taylor offered some advice and told him of his belief that he can emulate his legacy-defining accomplishment and claim the undisputed title.
“There is no reason why you can’t the reach levels and become an undisputed champion. If I can do it, there is a chance that anybody can do it.
“You don’t need me to tell you because you live the life, and I’ve seen how you train and how you apply yourself. Even in between fights you’re out doing all of these mad runs around the country running, he is in some shape, you don’t need to worry about him living the life.
“All you need to really do is focus on improving yourself as an athlete, taking yourself away from your home comforts. Maybe take yourself away to America for a few weeks and go about the gyms, get a little bit of sparring, a little bit of coaching with different coaches and pick up bits of experience from different coaches and different fighters.
“You will develop, I think that’s why I developed so well, because I was so well travelled as an amateur, seeing all of these different styles and ways of coming at you. Then, as a pro as well, I had great development by sparring all around the country and going to different countries.
“That is the only bit of advice I could give you. You do everything else great, the only bit of advice that I would say is don’t be afraid to travel and go and experience different parts of the world for more experience, for your benefit.”
Collins headlines in Glasgow in two weeks’ time as he challenges undefeated Spaniard Cristobal Lorente, 20-0-2 (8 KOs), for the EBU European featherweight title at Braehead Arena. There, much to Taylor’s delight, he is supported by a host of Scottish talent on the undercard.
