Viktor Postol says Josh Taylor has already earned his respect - by being brave enough to take him on in the first place.

The former WBC super lightweight champion faces the Tartan Tornado at Glasgow's SSE Hydro on Saturday night as he looks to get his career back on track.

The Ukrainian has only fought once since losing to Terence Crawford in 2016 - a fight which saw him lose his WBC title.

Taylor's promoter Barry McGuigan has already acknowledged that he has taken a risk by throwing his man in alongside the WBC's No 1 contender.

But Postol is impressed that the unbeaten Scot is willing to take that chance just 13 fights into his pro career.

This weekend's showdown is a final eliminator for the strap Postol handed over to Crawford - now held by America's Jose Ramirez following Crawford's move up to welterweight - and the Ukrainian is insistent he will not let Taylor stand in his way.

He said: "My aim is to get back on top. The two years since the Crawford fight have been an awkward situation. I have barely had a fight since that defeat and it's not been the most comfortable position to be in.

"But I'm still proud that I fought Crawford and took him the full distance. Since that fight, Crawford has moved up in weight and smashed all his opponents so losing was no disgrace.

"It's hard to say how long I'll fight on for but right now I have power and desire, so maybe another three or four years. But if I want to achieve all the things I still have plans for in boxing then it's pivotal I win this fight."