Taylor continues march to world title after blitzing Campos
This post was first published in March 2018.
Josh Taylor took a step closer to challenging for a world title after defeating Nicaragua’s Winston Campos in three rounds at Glasgow’s Hydro Arena.
The Tartan Tornado imposed from the opening bell and moved confidently around the ring, asserting his jab. Taylor was in destructive form in the second as he floored Campos twice with sharp hooks to the body and head.
The fight inevitably concluded in the third as Taylor had repeated success with combinations, making it a hat-trick of knockdowns. Campos retained his senses and could have continued, but with little hope of making the fight competitive, was spared a beating by the merciful referee, Victor Laughlan.
Campos was a late replacement for the more experienced Mexican Humberto Soto. And, in truth, was no match for Taylor who may have had a tougher test with his original opponent. It would be easy to dismiss the victory as a foregone conclusion or anti climax. But, as we’ve seen in recent months, late replacements can prove difficult for heavily favoured fighters.
Anthony Joshua, who had trained methodically to face Bulgarian hardman Pulev, looked pedestrian at times against Carlos Takam, brought in with a week’s notice. And Callum Smith, rated as one of the top prospects in the super middleweight division, underwhelmed against novice Dutchman Nieky Holzken in their World Boxing Super Series semi final.
Late replacements can provoke nerves and unsettle fighters who struggle to adjust their game plans. No such difficulty for Josh Taylor. The Edinburgh man possessed too much quality, intelligence and elite amateur experience, which demanded adaptability at the highest level.
It is quite preposterous to say with near certainty that a man with only 12 fights in the professional ranks is destined to win a world title. Boxing pundits sigh when they hear that the latest prospects, heavily manufactured and promoted by the large television stations, are close to competing at elite level. Okolie, Yarde and Dubios – all promising but over-hyped talents – spring to mind. However, with Taylor, there is little contention, in fact clear consensus, that he is headed towards the top of the sport.
Speaking to the media after his stoppage victory, Taylor explained:
‘The change didn’t faze me at all. I boxed nice and calm, reverted back to my amateur days, and it didn’t change my mind set.’
‘I believe in my ability and know I will be world champion. I didn’t think [the opportunities] would come this quick, but credit to my team, they have always believed in me.’
‘I’m ready to take on any of the champions. I’ve got the will and desire to beat them all.’
And it shouldn’t be too long before Taylor is testing himself against the best in his division. Promoter Barry McGuigan confirmed that his man is likely to fight in a title eliminator in the summer before boxing for one of the belts, preferably the WBC, at the end of 2018.
In the undercard, Brave Easton outgunned in battle with Sunderland’s Glenn Foot
Jason Easton is seemingly unable to be in a boring fight. The Edinburgh man is as game as they come and always willing to exchange – even if it’s to the detriment of his own game plan. It’s a quality that will make him a fan favourite but one that is inherently risky. And those risks were realised on the Taylor-Campos undercard as Easton learnt a painful lesson against Sunderland’s Glenn Foot.
Foot is a rugged, cunning fighter who knows how to lure and punish less experienced opponents. He successfully enticed Easton to ditch his boxing abilities and engage in a toe-to-toe war. Easton obliged but in doing so abandoned his strategy, and fought entirely to Foot’s plan.
It was a thrilling back and forth contest, potentially fight of the night, with both men landing cleanly. Easton had success at times with the right hand and won some rounds. But confidence oozed from Foot and his corner; they knew their man was landing the more powerful, damaging shots.
The fight became more gruelling as the rounds went on with both men firing heavy shots, but Foot was more accurate and relentless. The Sunderland man, unlucky not to get a decision against Josh Leather live on Sky recently, delivered a vicious flurry of shots to end the contest in the 11th. Easton received medical attention and was taken to hospital for precaution.
It’s easy to criticise from the comfort of the stands or at home. Analysis aside, Easton showed tremendous bravery and flashes of skill in an excellent contest. But he was beaten by a clever, more experienced opponent on the night. He will know more than anyone that he needs to utilise his skills, which he has in abundance, better and be more disciplined.
The 26 year old Easton will come back again stronger in the summer, and will be chasing more titles. Foot walks away with a deserved victory, Commonwealth strap and credibility. He was impressive and is part of a resurgent North East of England boxing scene alongside Josh Kelly and Lewis Ritson.
Lightning strikes twice for Flynn and Collins
It was a miserable evening for Commonwealth gold medallist Charlie Flynn and domestic rival Ryan Collins. The pair met last year in a contest that was stopped due to a head-clash. Flynn had a gaping cut above his eye and could not continue – rendering the fight a draw. Flynn believed Collins was careless and grew frustrated as his promising career stalled for several months as the injury healed.
The score, and simmering bad blood, was to be settled on Saturday night as the pair met once again at the Hydro Arena. Flynn started confidently and looked sharp, focused and powerful: knocking Collins to the floor in the opening round.
Flynn excelled with a strong jab that repeatedly snapped Collins’ neck back. The public were finally seeing Flynn’s skills four years after shining at the Commonwealth games in the same venue. However, as the referee had warned, heads clashed again, cutting both fighters, with Flynn once more coming off worse. The fight inexplicably was halted for a second time and called a technical draw.
It was heartening to see both fighters embrace at the end and there was acceptance that their styles simply did not mix. Thankfully, there will not be a trilogy. And, without ignoring the understandable disappointment, Flynn had met his objectives for the evening: demonstrating superiority over the tough Ayrshire man and potential for moving on to a higher level.
Chantelle Cameron dominates tough opponent
Katie Taylor often out-performs male counterparts on Matchroom cards. She is regarded as an excellent boxer without the need to reference gender. And Chantelle Cameron appears to be of similar quality. She was at times exceptional against a tough French opponent, Myriam Dellal, displaying dizzying shot volume, variety and accuracy. Dellal lost every round but heard the final bell due to her incredible fighting spirit. The viewing public couldn’t help but be impressed with Cameron, a standout performance, and we look forward to seeing her again in the summer.
Elsewhere, the highly promising Lee ‘Lightning’ McGregor dominated and stopped his late replacement opponent, Pablo Navarez, in the second. McGregor was scheduled to face former Scottish champion Scott Allan who withdrew late through illness. McGuigan’s prediction that McGregor, only a three fight novice, is destined to capture the British title sooner rather than later may not be as surprising as first imagined.
Marc Kerr captured the Scottish middleweight title after stopping Iain Trotter in the third round of their contest. Popular Barrhead fighter Gary Rae continued his impressive run with a knockout victory. Joe Ham, another standout amateur turned pro, convincingly beat a journeyman on his way to a bigger fight later in the year.
By Jamie Sokolowski
