Josh Taylor says he’s ‘absolutely buzzing’ to be fighting back home in Scotland after confirming he’ll defend his undisputed world title for the first time in Glasgow.
The 30-year-old, who became the first British fighter to unify a division in the four-belt era with victory over Jose Ramirez in May, will take on Jack Catterall at the city’s Hydro on December 18.
He said: “Back home after more than two years of being away on the road. Absolutely buzzing. It’s kinda like a homecoming fight for me.
“It will be a great fight as well. Scotland versus England, it’s got the makings of having a great atmosphere.
“My home fans haven’t managed to see me at home for a couple of years.
“I think it will be a sell out and I can’t wait to get back out at the Hydro. It’s been my home since the Commonwealth Games. I can’t wait to get back there and do the business again.
“I’m going to put on a good show and keep the belts in Scotland.”
His opponent, Catterall, who is the mandatory challenger for the WBO belt, stepped aside to allow Taylor to take on Ramirez in Vegas, and Taylor believes he’ll be fired up for the challenge.
He continued: “He’ll be training like an absolute beast at the moment. It’s his chance to get his hand on all the belts, not just the WBO that he’s mandatory for.
“It’s his chance to make history and be the first Englishman to do it and beat a fighter like myself. So I’m expecting a tough fight.”
If Taylor wins his defence, he could step up a division and fight at welterweight.
He said: “There are still big fights at the weight class I’m at just now, the light welterweight division. Obviously, I’ve set new goals and new targets to then become a two-weight world champion, so that could be next.
“You know a step up in weight class and hopefully maybe chase a fight with Terence Crawford or Dennis with the titles up there and become a two-weight World Champion.
“But I can always come back down to light welter weight and defend my belts there.
“I’ve got to set new goals now, I’ve proved I’m the best at this weight but it all falls to pieces if it doesn’t go right against Jack Catterall on December 18. I’m not thinking about anything else.”
Taylor’s profile has risen dramatically since becoming undisputed champion, but he insists he’s not let it change him too much: “It’s been good. I’ve been doing a lot of TV like ‘A league of their own’ and ‘Question of sport’ and that kind of stuff so it’s been cool, meeting some pretty cool people.
“But my lifestyle hasn’t changed, I’m still the same old me.”
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