WBA and IBF super lightweight champion Josh Taylor says he will move to welterweight after his next fight and would love nothing more than to face his boxing idol Manny Pacquiao.
The 30-year-old Scot clashes with WBC and WBO titlist Jose Carlos Ramirez for all the marbles on May 22 in Las Vegas. It will be the Scot’s fourth world title fight in just 18 contests since beating Ivan Baranchyk in the 2019 World Boxing Super Series semi-final at 140lbs.
“I’ve achieved the goal I set out with, to become world champion,” Taylor told Sky Sports.
“Becoming undisputed and two-weight world champion were further out, more farfetched dreams.
“After this, it will be to move up to 147lbs and chase a second weight world title to really cement my reign in the history books.”
‘The Tartan Tornado’ then hopes that he can go on to share a ring with his hero.
“To share a ring with my hero Pacquiao? That would be brilliant. How many people can say they shared a ring with their hero and beat them? Not many.”
Taylor went on to explain why he likes the 42-year-old so much. “Everything about him. He’s funny, he sings, he puts on a Scottish accent, his fighting style, he’s a people’s champion, a really nice person, he gives money to feed people.
“His fighting style is ferocious – a southpaw with fast hands who can fight like hell.”
The welterweight scene right now has many star attractions but is lacking the super fight that we are all clamouring for: Terence Crawford vs. Errol Spence Jr. Taylor says that Crawford too is on his radar once he moves seven pounds north.
“It would be a massive fight – two undisputed champions fighting.
“These are longer-term goals. All I’m thinking about is Ramirez and winning those four belts.”