Taylor senses world title dream is close to becoming reality

Josh Taylor left Glasgow’s SSE Hydro with the smell of a world title in his nostrils following his no-nonsense WBC silver super lightweight title win over Winston Campos.

The Nicaraguan was a late replacement for veteran Humberto Soto, who was injured while sparring but that change was irrelevant to the man from Prestonpans.

In the venue where he won his Commonwealth gold medal in 2014, Taylor felled Campos twice in the second round before referee Victor Loughlin called a halt in the third when the tentative and nervy challenger went down again.

The 27-year-old Scot extended his winning record to 12 fights, 11 by stoppage, and he senses that he is on the way to the very top.

He said: “I always believed, even when I pulled on the gloves at the Commonwealth Games, that I was going to become a world champion.

“I can smell it now. My dream is so close to becoming a reality.

“Turning professional, that was my ambition. I just didn’t think it would happen so quick, these big fights.

“The bigger fights are coming at me rapidly now. I couldn’t have imagined that.

“I’m really pleased with the start of my career. That’s down to Barry (McGuigan, manager and promoter), I would like to thank him for the opportunities he’s given me.

“I am going to get the head down and work hard until it does become a reality.”

McGuigan spoke of Taylor being “on the cusp of a world title fight”.

The former world champion said: “Realistically we’re looking at Jose Ramirez and Amir Imam, who are fighting on St Patrick’s Day, the 17th.

“We want to go down the WBC route but aren’t closing the door to any other organisation.

“I’m sure they’ll all be looking at that performance and being impressed.

“I genuinely believe he will be in there at number one or two in the division. So we are very close to something very exciting.

“He’s one of the best fighters this country has produced in a while. He is very special.

“The light welterweight division is red hot at the moment. But he’s the hottest thing in it. That’s for sure.”