30.08.05 – By Tony Nobbs: Shannan Taylor’s IBO middleweight title shot has been re-sceduled to early November. Taylor, 33, will challenge Raymond Joval which will be the Bulli Blaster’s biggest test since 2001 with the fight “99.99 percent certain to be in Newcastle”. Originally pencilled in for September 19 (the day after Peden-Barrera) then October 10 (the day after Corrales-Castillo ll), it was later put back further due to other PPV cards around the globe.
“My training has been enormous. I have to ease up as I don’t want to peak. I’ve been boxing plenty of rounds in the gym and am looking forward to this fight but over the next few weeks I want to take things easy” said Shannan who boxed an exhibition with Lovemore Ndou on the recent John-Browne card at Penrith and during the week spent time with Smokin’ Joe Frazier, who was a special guest of Blaster Promotions.
“Australian boxing was lucky. I think we had a bit of a treat. He was an absolute gentleman and it was a pleasure to have him here.”
Taylor is also finding motivation from those close to his heart. With his beautiful partner Rebecca due to give birth to the couples second child in December, Shannan is regularly visiting his good friend Joel Shirley who is in hospital in an induced coma with a lung condition. “He is a great young bloke, a great ambassador for my company. He has gone into camp with me before and he always picks up the fighters we have on our cards and hangs with them, making them feel comfortable. He always gets around with ‘The Colonel’ (Bob Sheridan) when he’s here. He is a tough and brave guy and I’m getting a lot of inspiration from him”.
Taylor is 13-0-1 from his last fourteen starts, registering nine knockouts.