The 2020 forecast is in, and “The Tartan Tornado” is coming to Top Rank and ESPN.
WBA/IBF junior welterweight world champion Josh Taylor, fresh off his tour de force in the World Boxing Super Series, has signed a multi-year promotional agreement with Top Rank. Taylor, from Edinburgh, Scotland, will make his Top Rank on ESPN debut in 2020 as he continues his quest to become the undisputed junior welterweight king.
“Josh Taylor is one of the world’s best fighters, and he is a fight fan’s fighter, a tough guy willing to fight anyone we put in front of him,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “Whether it’s Jose Ramirez in a fight for the undisputed junior welterweight title or any of the welterweights out there, he’s ready for the biggest challenges. I want to thank Josh’s advisors at MTK Global, who have the same goal as us, which is to make him an international star.”
“A new year, a new decade with lots of new beginnings, and I’m starting this new decade with a big bang,” Taylor said. “2019 was a huge year for me, but 2020 looks set to be even bigger and I’m delighted to have signed a deal with Top Rank and ESPN and an advisory contract with MTK Global. I believe I am with the best team to take my career to the next level. I couldn’t ask for a better partnership, and I know the future looks bright with this team lighting the way.”
Said Jamie Conlan, MTK Global’s Professional Development Coordinator: “Josh Taylor was the 2019 Fighter of the Year, winning the World Boxing Super Series in fantastic fashion with his win over Regis Prograis. Now linking up with Top Rank and MTK Global, his sights are solely set on unifying the division and becoming a global star.”
ESPN’s Max on Boxing will feature an exclusive Max Kellerman interview with Taylor this Friday, January 10 at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
Taylor (16-0, 12 KOs), who turned pro in July 2015, soon established himself as one of Great Britain’s pugilistic prodigies, winning Commonwealth honors in October 2016 in only his seventh bout. In 2017, he knocked off fellow unbeaten prospect Ohara Davies via seventh-round stoppage and knocked out former world champion Miguel Vazquez in nine rounds.
In late 2018, following a decision win over former world champion Viktor Postol, he entered the World Boxing Super Series tournament. Taylor knocked out then-unbeaten Ryan Martin in the quarterfinals and scored a convincing decision over Ivan Baranchyk in the semifinals to win the IBF world title. Taylor authored his career-best win last October in the World Boxing Super Series championship, grinding out a majority decision over Prograis to unify titles and establish himself as a pound-for-pound player.
MTK Global is delighted to announce an advisory deal with unified super-lightweight world champion Josh Taylor
IBF and WBA champion Taylor (16-0, 12 KOs) has also signed a multi-year promotional agreement with Top Rank, as he looks to continue his quest to becoming the undisputed super-lightweight king.
Taylor said: “A new year, a new decade with lots of new beginnings and I’m starting this new decade with a Big Bang.
“2019 was a huge year for me, but 2020 looks set to be even bigger and I’m delighted to have signed a deal with Top Rank & ESPN and an advisory contract with MTK Global.
“I believe I am with the best team to take my career to the next level & I can’t wait to see what the future holds, I couldn’t ask for a better partnership and know the future looks bright with this team lighting the way.”
MTK Global Professional Development Coordinator Jamie Conlan added: “Josh Taylor was 2019 Fighter of the Year and won the Word Boxing Super Series in fantastic fashion with his win over Regis Prograis.
“He’s now linking up with Top Rank and MTK Global, so his sights are solely set on unifying the division and becoming a global star on both sides of the Atlantic.
This is a momentous partnership for all involved. MTK Global and Top Rank have a recent history of working together with world class fighters and with Josh Taylor we believe that the best is yet to come, so 2020 will be huge!”
Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum said: “Josh Taylor is one of the world’s best fighters, and he is a fight fan’s fighter, a tough guy willing to fight anyone we put in front of him.
“Whether it’s Jose Ramirez in a fight for the undisputed junior welterweight title or any of the welterweights out there, he’s ready for the biggest challenges. I want to thank Josh’s advisors at MTK Global, who have the same goal as us, which is to make him an international star.”