Does Josh Taylor Have What it Takes To Win Another World Title?
The agenda is clear for one-time undisputed junior welterweight champion Josh “The Tartan Tornado” Taylor (19-1 13 KOs) in 2024, with aspirations of a rematch with reigning WBO champion Teofimo Lopez. But at this stage of Taylor’s career, does he have it in him to win another world title?
Taylor has not fought since losing the WBO 140-pound strap to Lopez in June 2023. During an interview with the British media outlet Sky Sports, Taylor talked about his strong desire to get another shot against Lopez.
“In my opinion, he is the number one now in the 140-pound division. He beat the man who was the man, who had all the belts, who was the undisputed champion. I’d love to correct that wrong and box him again.”
THE RISE AND FALL
When Taylor became the undisputed champion with a unanimous decision victory over Jose Ramirez in June 2021, he was on top of the world at junior welterweight.
Most observers ranked the Tartan Tornado as an elite fighter. There were rumblings of him moving up to 147 to face welterweight champion Terence Crawford. But boxing is a sport when things can take a turn for the worse quick, fast, and in a hurry.
After a controversial win over Jack Catterall in February 2022, Taylor elected to vacate three of the four world belts at 140. Then there was a prolonged period of inactivity due to a foot injury. When he finally returned to action against Lopez, Taylor was soundly defeated. Despite the rough stretch, Taylor believes his future is still bright.
“I’m still in this game to be involved in big fights and I believe that I still haven’t reached my pinnacle yet, even though I have reached the pinnacle of the sport. I still feel that I can still achieve more and I’ve still got more to give.”
But this is the reality. Taylor is now 32 years old. He’s also a fighter who is injury-prone. Recent outings suggest that the fighter from Scotland could be on the decline. Additionally, the junior welterweight division is arguably better and deeper now than when Taylor first came on the world scene.
Taylor is a skilled and well-rounded southpaw with quick hands and power in both hands. At his best, he’s capable of becoming a two-time world champion. Whether he can do so is a big question mark and far from a guarantee.
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