Josh Taylor aplaza su ascenso al peso wélter por dos peleas, apuntando a Zepeda y Catterall
Daniel Pi
@BastionBoxeo
Desde antes de su enfrentamiento ante Jack Catterall, Josh Taylor ya afirmaba que le costaba mucho dar el peso superligero, algo que tras su floja actuación ante este púgil todavía afirmó con más vehemencia. Así, Taylor dejó diametralmente claro que su siguiente duelo sería ya en el peso wélter, división en la quería buscar coronarse campeón mundial a través de un choque ante Terence Crawford. Sin embargo, aunque en varias declaraciones se insistió en esta idea, finalmente el titular WBC, WBO e IBF del peso superligero Taylor ha optado por otra vía.
A pesar de que cuando dejó perder su título WBA por no hacer frente a su defensa obligatoria contra Alberto Puello su subida al peso wélter pareció ya inevitable, el WBC ordenó a Taylor que se midiese a José Zepeda, pelea que en un principio pareció que no tendría lugar. Sin embargo, tras unos aplazamientos en la subasta y declaraciones de miembros de Top Rank afirmando que el choque se materializaría, ahora Taylor se ha pronunciado públicamente al respecto.
Por un lado, “The Tartan Tornado” ha señalado que, aunque se ha visto forzado a encarar el combate por ser una defensa obligatoria, Zepeda es un rival de gran nivel que está siendo infravalorado por el público. Por otro lado, Taylor ha afirmado que realmente el único motivo por el que ha decidido permanecer en el peso superligero es debido a que, después de pelear con Zepeda, quiere enfrentarse en una revancha a Jack Catterall para acallar las críticas por el controvertido primer combate entre ambos. Finalmente, una vez que se haya medido a Catterall, Taylor señala que entonces sí subirá al peso wélter.
Si lleva tantos meses señalando que mantenerse en el peso superligero afecta a su rendimiento, permanecer en la división durante otras dos peleas no parece la mejor de las ideas. Especialmente si lo único que le mueve a ello es intentar contrarrestar las críticas que recibió ante Catterall. No obstante, y aunque no se puede descartar que se pueda producir un nuevo cambio de opinión, parece que Taylor está decidido a seguir en la división a pesar de que ello tiene para él más riesgo que beneficio.
Josh Taylor will not move up to welterweight yet, targeting Zepeda and Catterall
Daniel Pi
@BastionBoxing
Even before his fight with Jack Catterall, Josh Taylor already declared that he had a hard time making the super lightweight limit, something that after his poor performance against that boxer he affirmed even more vehemently. Thus, Taylor made it very clear that his next duel would be at welterweight, a division in which he wanted to seek a world title through a clash with Terence Crawford. However, although through several statements he insisted on this idea, finally the WBC, WBO and IBF super lightweight titleholder has chosen another path.
Despite the fact that when he lost his WBA title for not facing his mandatory defense against Alberto Puello, his move up to welterweight seemed inevitable, the WBC ordered Taylor to face José Zepeda, a bout that at first seemed that would not take place. However, after some postponements in the date of the purse bid and statements by members of Top Rank stating that the fight would materialize, now Taylor has spoken publicly about his plans.
On the one hand, «The Tartan Tornado» has pointed out that, although he has been forced to face this bout because it is a mandatory defense, Zepeda is a high-level rival who is being underrated by the fans. On the other hand, Taylor has stated that the only reason why he has decided to stay at super lightweight is because, after battling Zepeda, he wants to face Catterall in a rematch to silence criticism for their controversial first fight. Finally, once he clashes for the second time against Jack Catterall, Taylor points out that he will then move up to welterweight.
If he’s been saying for so many months that staying at super lightweight affects negatively his performance, staying in the division for another two fights doesn’t sound like the best idea. Especially if the only thing that moves him is to try to counteract the criticism he received against Catterall. However, and although a new change of opinion cannot be ruled out, it seems that Taylor is determined to continue fighting in the division despite the fact that it has more potential risk than benefit for him.