Josh Taylor Interview on Khongson & The Amateurs

Josh Taylor will defend his WBA and IBF super-lightweight titles against Apinum Khongson of Thailand, today (Saturday 26th). 

In an interview, Taylor spoke on his defeat to former world amateur champion Domenico Valentino in the amateurs:

“That defeat was daylight robbery,” Taylor said. “A double count back in a Scotland versus England match in the heart of London! Daylight robbery and you’re talking about nearly 10 years ago.

“I won that fight hands down and never got a decision. Amateur boxing was terrible at times, really bad in terms of decision making. It wasn’t the fact I did anything wrong, I thought I boxed really well, it was just the points scoring at the time was terrible. It just made me more determined to succeed.

“I never took anything from that because I knew I won that fight. I took more from the other experiences as an amateur, going to the Olympics, world championships, going to Delhi in 2010, just missing out on a gold medal, just missing out on a medal at the Olympics again through crappy scoring.

“All those experiences have just made me more determined to be better.”

Taylor commented on Khongsong, 24, the IBF’s mandatory contender:

“He’s got good timing, he’s got a kind of unorthodox, unrhythmic bounce, he’s good at luring his opponents in on the back of that. He punches through the target and he looks heavy-handed. He’s got the same record as me with one more knockout.

“We’re fully prepared and we’re expecting a tough fight against a guy with good explosive power.”

“Mindset is the most important thing,” he said. “If you’re mind’s not right, you’re not going to perform right. You’re not going to put as much effort in in the gym. 

“I’m even hungrier now than when I was up and coming. I want to achieve more in the sport, I want to win more titles, keep Scotland on the map, have these big fights in Scotland, these big fights in America. I’ve got a lot more to achieve. The fire is still firmly lit.”