Josh Taylor is confident in being able to beat Yordenis Ugas
Undisputed junior welterweight champion Josh “The Tartan Tornado” Taylor (18-0, 13ko) is keeping a promise to defend the title against mandatory challenger Jack “El Gato” Catterall (26-0, 13ko). However, he is looking at making a move towards welterweight and already has a target in mind.
For those that do not remember, Taylor won the undisputed crown by defeating then unified champion Jose Ramirez back in May 2021. It was only possible when the WBO mandatory to Ramirez’s belt, Catterall, stepped aside to allow the undisputed fight to take place.
Taylor would show his gratitude by promising to fight the mandatory challenger after taking care of Ramirez. He is keeping his word by fighting El Gato, and he will have the homefield advantage with the fight taking place at The SSE Hydro, Glasgow on December 18.
JOSH TAYLOR REVEALS DROPPING YORDENIS UGAS
However, fans on social media are buzzing after Taylor revealed looking to make a move towards the shark-infested pool of the welterweight division. Moreover, he is targeting WBA ‘super’ champion Yordenis “54 Milagros” Ugas (27-4, 12ko).
During an interview with Sky Sports, the undisputed champion revealed his long-term goal and some interesting facts about a sparring session with the Cuban champion.
“My longer-term goal is to become a two-weight world champion and win a belt up at welterweight. I believe I can beat these guys. Yordenis Ugas, I sparred with him up in Vegas….I dropped him one time as well. I am pretty confident that, if that fight came around.”
Taylor would go deeper into why he feels so confident. He has been in big fights, hard fights, and the experience from that has boosted his belief in himself.
YORDENIS UGAS RESPONDS
Taylor’s climb to the top was tough, undoubtedly. However, Ugas’ road to the top was not a walk in the park, either. There were two disappointing split decision losses early in his career to Emanuel Robles and Johnny Garcia. Then came another big defeat to then-undefeated fighter Amir Imam in 2014.
He spent the next four years scratching and clawing his way back into title contention. In 2019, he got a title shot against then WBC champion “Showtime” Shawn Porter. Ugas’ career took another shot on the chin with a split decision loss, and many inside the boxing community felt he should have gotten the nod.
Furthermore, he had to deal with the WBA organization potentially removing him as the super champion in favor of living legend Manny “Pac Man” Pacquiao. These are the things that would break any other fighter. Yordenis Ugas used it as motivation to get the biggest win of his career with an upset victory over the Filipino Senator.
The undisputed champion’s confidence is on a high note. Stiil, the belief of Ugas is extremely high as well, and he responded to what Taylor had to say.
By: Garrisson Bland
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