Josh Taylor Retires!

[Ruthless-RKO]

Former world champion Taylor announces retirement

Former undisputed world champion Josh Taylor says it is "sadly necessary" to announce his retirement from boxing on medical advice.

The 34-year-old Scot underwent eye surgery in February last year and, in the wake of his defeat by Ekow Essuman in May, has been advised by specialists that to continue boxing would put his eyesight at risk.

The Tartan Tornado is one of Scotland's greatest ever boxers, having won Commonwealth Games gold at Glasgow 2014 and embarked on an extraordinary run in the professional ranks that led to him becoming world champion in just his 15th fight, unified champion in his 16th and undisputed light-welterweight champion in only his 18th bout.

'Not an easy post to write'

He was the first - and remains the only - male fighter from the UK to capture all four belts in a single division.

Taylor said in a statement: "Right folks, this isn't an easy post for me to write, but on the advice of my doctors, it's sadly a necessary one.

"As has been publicised before, I've had a recurring issue with my eye that unfortunately means I now have to call time on my career or risk losing my eyesight.

"While the fighter in me always wants to box on, I know I have to listen to the medical professionals and save me from myself.

"It is certainly not the way I wanted to bow out but I have to listen to the doctors and those around me.
"I am just a kid from the Pans who scaled the very top of the sport but I could not have done it without those who have supported me through thick and thin."

From OIympian to fighting on the world stage

A talented amateur, Taylor represented Great Britain at the 2012 Olympic Games in London but it was two years later that he shot to prominence by winning the gold medal at the Commonwealth Games at the Hydro in Glasgow.

That venue would host some of Taylor's greatest nights, including his victory over Ivan Baranchyk in 2019 when he captured his first world title.

Later that year, the Scot edged a classic fight against American star Regis Prograis in London to unify the IBF and WBC light-welterweight titles.

That in turn set up a showdown with another US fighter, Jose Ramirez, in Las Vegas in May 2021 for all four belts. Taylor made history by flooring Ramirez twice en route to a points victory and became undisputed champion of the world.

A controversial points win over England's Jack Catterall in February 2022 sparked the downturn in Taylor's career, with injury and inactivity a blight on the past few years.

Having vacated three of his four belts amidst a host of injury problems, he lost the last of his world titles to American Teofimo Lopez in New York in 2023 and was beaten by Catterall in their rematch in Leeds last year.

Defeat by Essuman in Glasgow two months ago proved to be the final chapter in an extraordinary career few other fighters, particularly from the UK, have ever enjoyed.

[JC]

Good luck to him and hope he's set for life.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ezzard]

I wish him and his family all the best. Great fighter.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Eye issues.

Doctors orders.

He’s not that old and probably wanted to retire on his own terms. No one wants boxing to retire them.

Then there are many who need saving that don’t stop.

I think at this point in his career. He’s achieved all he ever will.

[chinarich]

Retiring is a good thing - even if it was forced on him - it was going to be quite a long road back after the Essuman defeat and no certainty that he would get anywhere near the level he once operated at.

[mickey1975]

Eye issues.

Doctors orders.

He’s not that old and probably wanted to retire on his own terms. No one wants boxing to retire them.

Then there are many who need saving that don’t stop.

I think at this point in his career. He’s achieved all he ever will.

34 for a light welter would have always been seen as time to retire.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[handsofstone]

His career petered out in the end but what a story, incredible achievements, only Brit to be undisputed in the 4 belt era, I'll take that, all the best in retirement

[margaret thatcher]

good call, it was only looking downhill and like continuing could leave him with a record very unflattering to what he achieved

his prime was certainly something. fast and furious and very successful times.

[gilgamesh]

Good luck to him and hope he's set for life.

I don't think he's made "set for life" kinda money, but I think he'll be alright for the next few years while he figures out the next path his life is taking.

[JC]

Good luck to him and hope he's set for life.

I don't think he's made "set for life" kinda money, but I think he'll be alright for the next few years while he figures out the next path his life is taking.

If he has made a few million pounds, which I'm pretty sure he will have, he'll absolutely be set for life as long as he invests wisely.

[margaret thatcher]

guys have made 100 million and gone broke

guys have made little over minimum wage but gotten by with smart money management


whether someone is financially healthy depends not only on what theyve made but how they use it

[JC]

guys have made 100 million and gone broke

guys have made little over minimum wage but gotten by with smart money management


whether someone is financially healthy depends not only on what theyve made but how they use it

That's why I said 'as long as he invests wisely'.

Anyway, not trying to turn it into a thread speculating about earnings.

[margaret thatcher]

for sure my man

[Ruthless-RKO]

Dave Allen made some good money and bought houses didn’t he..

Bellew made £2.4m in Haye first match and was set

He bought properties

[margaret thatcher]

boxers are property moguls arent they

[Bigdogsnose]

All the best to him. The Ohara Davies beatdown is my favorite Josh Taylor moment still

[margaret thatcher]

ya that was great wasnt it, perfect for one of those 'Before and after fighting (boxer's name)"/ "cocky boxer gets DESTROYED" youtube videos

[dookus]

All the best to him and hope he has a very happy retirement. That's some way to do it - rise, undisputed title, decline in 22 fights! Better for your health than stretching it over 44 fights...

[CaptainSpacerod]

In his pomp he was a real piece of work, as nasty as they come and with the talent to back it up. But it was the nastiness that made him great, once that was gone and he’d mellowed a bit he was a shadow of himself.

Good luck to him.

[jameswilson]

He was superb from
Fighting O’Hara to his World title run through to fighting Catterell the first time. I think the poll on his fight against OHara was pretty even before the fight happened and he made absolute childsplay of winning that fight.

[MightyWarrior]

The greatest fighter to come out of Britain than no one ( outside the boxing world ) ever knew about. His great performances and lightning fast career sadly hidden behind a pay wall and the pandemic. Amazing fighter, tough as hell. I hope he made a lot of money

Taylor against Tank Davis at 135 would’ve been some fight. Josh’s granite Ken Buchanan chin might have held up against the tank bombs.

[mickey1975]

The greatest fighter to come out of Britain than no one ( outside the boxing world ) ever knew about. His great performances and lightning fast career sadly hidden behind a pay wall and the pandemic. Amazing fighter, tough as hell. I hope he made a lot of money

Taylor against Tank Davis at 135 would’ve been some fight. Josh’s granite Ken Buchanan chin might have held up against the tank bombs.

He boxed OHD on Channel 5.

[Ruthless-RKO]

The greatest fighter to come out of Britain than no one ( outside the boxing world ) ever knew about. His great performances and lightning fast career sadly hidden behind a pay wall and the pandemic. Amazing fighter, tough as hell. I hope he made a lot of money

Taylor against Tank Davis at 135 would’ve been some fight. Josh’s granite Ken Buchanan chin might have held up against the tank bombs.

He boxed OHD on Channel 5.

Yh was gonna say that. All his fights up until the WBSS was CH5.

Then Sky took on the WBSS.