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Former undisputed world champion Josh Taylor retires following shock defeat
Former undisputed champion of the world Josh Taylor has announced his retirement from boxing following medical advice.
Ten years and three days on from his professional debut as a fighter, former super lightweight king Taylor has had to step away from the ring aged 34 due to a recurring eye issue.
Taylor became the first, and so far only British man to hold all four major belts in boxing at the same time, becoming undisputed at 140lbs after defeating José Ramírez out in Las Vegas in May 2021.
However, a controversial win in his first defence against Jack Catterall preceded a run of three straight losses, culminating in a shock defeat to Ekow Essuman in Taylor’s last fight.
Taking to social media to announce his exit from the sport, Taylor wrote: “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.
“Whilst 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.”
Mikey Williams/Top Rank via Getty Images
As an amateur Taylor competed at the Olympics Games in 2012, before going on to win gold for Scotland at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
He turned pro the following summer, starting life in the paid ranks with a bang as he knocked out Weah Archiebald in July 2015. Splitting time between the US and the UK, by Taylor’s seventh fight he was Commonwealth champion at super lightweight.
Nicknamed the ‘Tartan Tornado’, Taylor would fight for his first world title in his 15th bout, defeating Ivan Baranchyk by unanimous decision in front of a home crowd in Glasgow in 2019.
By the end of the year he had doubled his tally of titles, defeating Regis Prograis by majority decision to add the WBA strap to his collection. Two fights later he would be the undisputed champion of the world at super lightweight.
His statement continued: “First and foremost, I cannot thank you, the fans, enough. You always gave me your all, spending your hard earned money to come and watch me fight. Especially the thousands that travelled to watch me box at Madison Square Garden. Your support has always meant the world to me and I have never taken it for granted.
“I know that British boxing, and Scottish boxing in particular, is in an exciting place with the focus that you have on bringing through the next generation of world champions.”
Taylor also went on to thank his former promoters, both Bob Arum of Top Rank and Queensberry Promotions guru Frank Warren, sponsors, and lawyer, before singling out the coaches he had worked with throughout his career.
He restarted: “To my coaches over the years - Terry McCormack, Shane McGuigan, Ben Davison, and most recently Joe McNally - thank you for all the time, energy, and guidance you've invested in me, taking me to the very heights of the sport.
“It's now time for me to reflect on a 1 in 70 million career and look forward to what's coming next.
“Thank you once again, and God bless.”
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