GEORGE Groves sees similarities between his own career and that of Josh Taylor, even if the 30-year-old from Hammersmith is sure it won’t take his Scottish stablemate four attempts to get his hands on a world title. The Englishman was a welcome visitor ringside in Glasgow as Taylor made himself mandatory challenger for Jose Ramirez’s WBC super lightweight title on Saturday night by becoming only the second man in history to defeat Ukraine’s Viktor Postol.
Even if it wasn’t the perfect performance from Taylor on his night, the WBA super middleweight champion - soon to fight Callum Smith in the final of a World Boxing Super Series [WBSS] - feels his McGuigan’s gym buddy sent out a message loud and clear that he is ready to fight for a world title, and capable of successfully defending it many times. But one thing the chilled-out big Londoner will never be able to get his head around is that infectious, hyperactive personality that sees Taylor up shadow-boxing at 1am in the morning.
“To be honest, I’m a bit flaky with the divisions,” said Groves. “But I think, for 13 fights, Josh is head and shoulders above anyone at that level. I admire the way he’s kicked on. Full credit to Cyclone in the way they’ve promoted him. I think he’s ready to fight for a world title.
“He’s had that big domestic needle fight against O’Hara Davies, that dust-up to give him the last green light to stand up to world level,” he added. “Beating Postol shows that he IS now at world level. And I certainly believe he can not only win a world title - but keep it. He’s lucky because usually it takes years to get that opportunity. He’ll snatch one of those belts up soon. And reign for a long time.
“I see similarities in his career to mine. I had the James DeGale fight as my domestic dust-up, a few others before stepping up to world level. It took me a few attempts. It won’t take Josh that many.
“I’m the old veteran in the gym, answering questions, imparting a little bit of wisdom if I can. It’s a great gym, a real variety of fighters at different stages of their career, pushing each other on. Lee McGregor, like Taylor, is going to make a quick progression in the pro ranks. It will be tough to hold him back. I’m trying to keep up with these guys in the sprints and circuits – it’s not easy.
“Josh’s nickname Hank comes from the Jim Carey film Me, Myself and Irene, which is about the guy with the split personality and he is a bit crazy. He doesn’t switch off. He was sharing a room with Lee [McGregor] in this camp and Lee has been sending in videos of Taylor up at one in the morning shadow boxing. He literally has no off button. That’s the kind of thing where I’d like to put an arm around him and say: “Mate, I don’t even shadow box when I’m the gym!’ What are you doing? Have a rest, man!”
But that’s a quality that Shane McGuigan has to nurture and contain. You can’t take it away from him, because that makes him a special fighter. At the same time, though, it can be his undoing. When he steps up another level, he’s got to be patient. He’s got the power to mix it with anyone, he has speed, fitness, all the attributes. But it’s almost like giving away too much, smothering yourself with work. With the experience that he’s gaining quickly, he’ll be well on his way to becoming the complete fighter.”
Tested for the first time in 13 professional fights, Groves is convinced that Taylor will be a stronger fighter for coming out the other end of what was a tense encounter.
“I thought Josh was very good. It was edge of the seat stuff – for me, anyway! There are big things on the horizon for Josh Taylor, we’ve known that for a long time, but beating Postol was the breakthrough. You could tell that there were periods when he wanted to make a real statement, get rid of Postol, and that led to mistakes. But he showed real class and nearly got rid of him, something no-one has ever done. Against Postol, he got away with a few mistakes, came through a sticky patch. But that shows character and determination, the signs of a great fighter. To make a total U-turn after the bad round [the seventh] was brilliant. He will be better for fighting and beating him.”
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