Josh Taylor vs. Apinun Khongsong - 26 September 2020

[Stuarty]

Looks like it could be a good card. Depends on the opponents right enough. Some decent names. Definitely gonna go along to this. My Mrs hasn't been to a fight before so she's getting dragged along.

Need to get as many local fighters on the card selling 200,300,400 each to fill it out.

Especially if Whyte/Povetkin goes that night (PPV) and DAZN launch as well same evening as that’s rumoured date of that PPV.

Hoping the locals get behind him.

[Stuarty]

Looks like it could be a good card. Depends on the opponents right enough. Some decent names. Definitely gonna go along to this. My Mrs hasn't been to a fight before so she's getting dragged along.

Invest in a few drinkies for her. A few drinks at a boxing match and most women are baying for blood more than the men.
And for women, half naked men battling it out can be an aphrodisiac- so don't drink too much yerself, you may need to break out your A game afterwards

Gawd, I hate to even think what your A game entails...

I don't have one. I just try my best not to disappoint

[LeeSanders]

if this fight is in the same date as canelo vs BJS, in which corner will ben davison gonna work?

[Stuarty]

if this fight is in the same date as canelo vs BJS, in which corner will ben davison gonna work?

Think it's safe to say he'll be working BJS corner if that happens...

[Ruthless-RKO]

if this fight is in the same date as canelo vs BJS, in which corner will ben davison gonna work?

Think it's safe to say he'll be working BJS corner if that happens...

Bigger payday and all that.

[Stuarty]

Think it's safe to say he'll be working BJS corner if that happens...

Bigger payday and all that.

Deffo, plus where would you rather be? Vegas or Glasgow

[3132DW]

if this fight is in the same date as canelo vs BJS, in which corner will ben davison gonna work?

Think it's safe to say he'll be working BJS corner if that happens...

That’s a problem when you think he’s the trainer of unified Champ in Taylor - I can’t see him being happy to lose trainer before 1st fight. Unless BJS isn’t getting the fight.

[Stuarty]

Think it's safe to say he'll be working BJS corner if that happens...

That’s a problem when you think he’s the trainer of unified Champ in Taylor - I can’t see him being happy to lose trainer before 1st fight. Unless BJS isn’t getting the fight.

I wanted Taylor to go with someone more experienced anyway tbh. Maybe if Davidson goes with BJS Taylor will take the huff and go with someone else.

[margaret thatcher]

Do you think as part of their agreement, Josh takes some time to slick up Ben's hair?

[LeeSanders]

Think it's safe to say he'll be working BJS corner if that happens...

That’s a problem when you think he’s the trainer of unified Champ in Taylor - I can’t see him being happy to lose trainer before 1st fight. Unless BJS isn’t getting the fight.

that's exactly why i asked the question

[mickey1975]

I might come up for this. Henry’s gym has George Davey and Mitchell Barton on, so will be running a coach.

[NoScoutingReports]

Taylor says here that Davison will be at the Canelo v BJS fight on May 2, if it goes ahead. Will still train with Davison but will then have long-time coach Terry McCormack head his corner on the night.

[Stuarty]

I might come up for this. Henry’s gym has George Davey and Mitchell Barton on, so will be running a coach.

Let me know if you're heading over bud. I'll be there

[mickey1975]

I might come up for this. Henry’s gym has George Davey and Mitchell Barton on, so will be running a coach.

Let me know if you're heading over bud. I'll be there

Mitchell boxed for Scotland in the Commonwealth games. Fearsome looking man for his age.

[Stuarty]

Let me know if you're heading over bud. I'll be there

Mitchell boxed for Scotland in the Commonwealth games. Fearsome looking man for his age.

Hadn't heard of him before mate. How you think he'll do in the pro's?

[mickey1975]

Mitchell boxed for Scotland in the Commonwealth games. Fearsome looking man for his age.

Hadn't heard of him before mate. How you think he'll do in the pro's?

It’s a hard game, but he’s young. Traveller, looks like Jake The Muss.

[Stuarty]

Hadn't heard of him before mate. How you think he'll do in the pro's?

It’s a hard game, but he’s young. Traveller, looks like Jake The Muss.

I looked him up mate. Take it this'll be his pro debut?

[Ruthless-RKO]

Top Rank bringing Japan's Naoya Inoue to U.S. now for April fight

With the coronavirus spreading across the world, the boxing industry is taking precautions with its upcoming events.

"Obviously, everybody in boxing who does international fights is concerned,'' said Bob Arum, who's company, Top Rank, has fights that are taking place abroad and also involve boxers who are flying in from foreign countries.

One would be WBA and IBF bantamweight champion, Naoya Inoue, from Japan, who is scheduled to face WBO titlist, John Riel Casimero, on April 25 in Las Vegas. Earlier this week, Arum met with representatives of Inoue to discuss how they would handle things in light of current events.

"We're waiting to get his visa, which should be next week," Arum told ESPN on Thursday afternoon, "and we're going to immediately bring him and his family to Las Vegas."

Then there is Thailand's Apinun Khongsong, who will challenge WBA and IBF junior welterweight champion, Josh Taylor in Glasgow, Scotland, on May 2.

After speaking to Khongsong's promoter, Sampson Lewkowicz, Arum said: "We got him tested in Thailand, he's fine. We're bringing him to Scotland immediately, tomorrow, because we want him there and so forth."

The international health crisis has certainly had an impact on the decision-making in boxing. Several weeks ago, Top Rank had a card featuring Jose Ramirez and Viktor Postol for Feb. 1 in China, canceled because of the coronavirus. That matchup has since been rescheduled for May 9 in Fresno, California. For the time being, most plans for international events are being tabled.

"We still have a commitment to China, obviously we can't go there," Arum said. "We have somebody here now, a promoter from Indonesia, well, we can't contemplate doing anything there. So we're limiting ourselves to events in the UK."

[Ruthless-RKO]

Taylor and the undercard fighters gathered today in Glasgow to preview the huge show, live on BT Sport, and below are a selection of the quotes.

Nathan Gorman

It is definitely good to be back and it has been a long time coming. It will be good to get back out under the lights on such a big show, with Josh defending his titles in Glasgow, so it is good to come back on such a good card. Hopefully, I will get a good fight, dust off the cobwebs and get back into the mix this year. That is the idea. Losing to Daniel Dubois was obviously a bitter pill to swallow because losing your 0 is not nice, but it is one of those things and I have taken it as experience, being only 23 years of age. In heavyweight terms I am still a baby and, as long as I move forward, that is my aim.

Sunny Edwards

Josh, first and foremost, is a phenomenal fighter and has been since the amateur days. As someone who knows him personally, I am proud of what he has achieved. I was quite surprised when I got offered a fight up in Glasgow on this date and was pleasantly surprised when I saw who the other fighters were on the bill. Everyone sat up here – except Steven Donnelly from Ireland – was on Team GB at some point and mostly at the same time as me.

It just shows the strength in depth we have in this country. To be on the same card as my stablemate Lee is a big thing and I have come up to Glasgow three times in the past for his fights. All the fighters on this card have taken opportunities early, taken risks early and that is why they are sitting where they are sitting. I’m trying to get big meaningful fights and I worked so hard to get the British title in my possession that I don’t want to give it back and want to win it outright.

Steven Donnelly

Troy has got a great record and you have to respect that. I know he has power where I have my boxing ability and I think that is what will pay off in this fight. It is a great fan-friendly fight and everyone was excited about it when it was announced. This is what I live for and what I have been asking for since my first few fights.

There is no point fighting journeymen your whole career and, after this fight, everyone will be massive. If you take risks you will get rewards and that is what I’ve done. I had a great amateur career and I just knew I had the talent. We will respect each other and may the best man win on the night. I can’t wait for it.

Troy Williamson

Steven is a great fighter who has been to the Commonwealth Games at three different weights so he has got the boxing ability there and it will be a great fight, as he said. I don’t worry about his boxing ability because I can box myself and I have been in with world-class amateurs too. It is not a three-round fight, it is a ten rounder, so you can be as good an amateur as you like because it is the professional game. I have a lot of respect but on the night I will show I am the better fighter.

Willy Hutchinson

It will be good to fight at home sweet home because I only live about 20 minutes away and have a lot of friends and family here. It is time to shine. I’ve had 11 fights now and all I need to do is listen to Dominic Ingle and my manager Shelly Finkel, then I don’t think I can go wrong. Keeping on grafting in the gym is the only way forward for me, then titles will come and I will be ready. I’ve got big dreams and I am ready to accomplish them.

When I moved to Sheffield it was all new for me, but I was looked after and there was always someone doing stuff for me. I am married now and I am getting my washing washed and not sleeping in the same underpants for three nights solid! It has worked out for the good and I am happy. She buys me fresh pajamas from time to time so I have hit the jackpot!

Lee McGregor

First of all the Farooq fight was a fantastic one to be involved in and all of the UK was impressed with how good a fight it was. It was close and I had to dig deep and I got it on a split decision. I feel like everyone is entitled to an opinion I can accept, but some folk are coming on saying things I don’t agree with. It is something I am more than happy to put right if we get that chance with hopefully something bigger at stake next time.

Having the British and Commonwealth titles means a lot and when I turned professional I didn’t imagine I would have then after just eight fights. It is massive for me and I am not finished yet. I want a big 2020 with more titles. And I am glad to be on the same bill as Josh and bringing the big cards back to Scotland. I have learned so much off of Josh and will continue to do that.

Josh Taylor

It is good to be back here in Glasgow for the first time since unifying because I thought I would have been away in America. I am delighted to be back here having a homecoming sort of fight to treat my friends and family before going Stateside to chase the big fights. I am really excited to be part of a great card and the talent on the undercard is brilliant.

It will be a great night of boxing so make sure you tune in. I believe I am going to get the result and take care of business, so I have to remain focused and get the job done. He has had 16 fights with 13 knockouts and I don’t know much more than that. And he looks pretty tall and stands tall, but it is hard to judge the quality of the opponents he has been in with because there isn’t great footage.

He looks like he carries a lot of power, to be honest, and punches correctly through the target. From the bits I have seen he has rocked his opponents so he looks like he carries power. He will have my full attention and I must make sure I am switched on because if I don’t get this job done then my dreams and ambitions are shattered.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

[brilo33]

what i have seen of apinun has a lazy jab, he gets hit a lot, fights on the back foot where he likes to throw bigs shots when fighter is coming on, main punch uppercuts long range body shots, taylor in my eyes is a superstar in the making, scum they have sullied his name as i would of love to hear a deffing rendition of o flower of scotland like the burns fights, taylor wipes the floor with this geezer in 2 rds i reckon

I fuckin hate the national anthems It's proper tedious! Especially that monotoned droning of Flower of Scotland I don't mind the Welsh one

Stuart how comes Josh don't seemed to be a huge pull yet in Scotland u reckon or is he .Iam a Londoner .half irish Scottish family and was talking to my cousin who is a Highlander and he loves him like me self. I mean he don't seemed to have the pull of burns.i think Taylor should be huge not just in Scotland in whole British isles

[Stuarty]

I fuckin hate the national anthems It's proper tedious! Especially that monotoned droning of Flower of Scotland I don't mind the Welsh one

Stuart how comes Josh don't seemed to be a huge pull yet in Scotland u reckon or is he .Iam a Londoner .half irish Scottish family and was talking to my cousin who is a Highlander and he loves him like me self. I mean he don't seemed to have the pull of burns.i think Taylor should be huge not just in Scotland in whole British isles

He's popular mate but not as popular as Harrison was or even Burns. Not sure why he's not more popular. I'm sure if he was with Hearn he'd probably be more popular. Most of my mates are casuals and they all love him.

[brilo33]

Stuart how comes Josh don't seemed to be a huge pull yet in Scotland u reckon or is he .Iam a Londoner .half irish Scottish family and was talking to my cousin who is a Highlander and he loves him like me self. I mean he don't seemed to have the pull of burns.i think Taylor should be huge not just in Scotland in whole British isles

He's popular mate but not as popular as Harrison was or even Burns. Not sure why he's not more popular. I'm sure if he was with Hearn he'd probably be more popular. Most of my mates are casuals and they all love him.

Yea Scott Harrison top fighter and you could feel the crowd when he fought that tension .I would say Taylor is like Alex Arthur in crowd terms.

[Stuarty]

He's popular mate but not as popular as Harrison was or even Burns. Not sure why he's not more popular. I'm sure if he was with Hearn he'd probably be more popular. Most of my mates are casuals and they all love him.

Yea Scott Harrison top fighter and you could feel the crowd when he fought that tension .I would say Taylor is like Alex Arthur in crowd terms.

First time i went to see Harrison was against Steve Robinson nearly 20 years ago! That's scary