By Terence Dooley
Prestonpans' Josh Taylor (10-0, 9 KOs) has all but given up on the possibility of an all-Scotland showdown with former two-weight, two-time world titlist Ricky Burns following his Coatbridge-based rival’s decision defeat to Anthony Crolla on Saturday, which marked his return to lightweight.
Taylor holds the WBC Silver light-welterweight title, a belt he won by hammering London’s Ohara Davies to defeat in seven rounds at the Braehead Arena in July, but it is now increasingly unlikely that he will meet his compatriot.
“After that fight [against Crolla] he's said he wants to stay at lightweight so I think that's probably the end of it,” admitted Taylor when speaking to Gavin Harper of the East Lothian Courier. “I've got [Miguel] Vazquez coming up and I'm 100 percent focused on that.”
He added: “It is a shame—not necessarily for me or for him, but just for Scottish boxing, which has now missed the chance to have two guys at the top of the game...or one who's been there for a long time and me who is trying to get there.”
The 26-year-old also used the interview as an opportunity to reiterate that he is staying with promoter Barry McGuigan and trainer Shane McGuigan. He quashed rumours linking him with a move away from Cyclones Promotions by stating that he is solely focussed on his November 11 meeting against the former IBF lightweight title-holder at the Royal Highland Centre in Edinburgh.
"It is all just rubbish,” he said when dismissing the rumours that he would join Carl Frampton in leaving the McGuigans for pastures new.
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