BARRY McGuigan admits that going in against a fighter with as much pedigree as Viktor Postol is a calculated risk for Josh Taylor, writes Stewart Fisher. But the Irish fight legend also knows that these are the risks you have to take to land a world title shot.
The 27-year-old from Prestonpans is undefeated in his 12 professional fights to date, all but one of them coming by way of knockout. By contrast, Postol has a wealth of experience, a former World Champion with 29 wins under his belt and only one defeat, on points during 2016 to a man in Terence Crawford who is one of the finest pound-for-pound fighters in the world.
“It is a risk,” said McGuigan yesterday. “Because he [Taylor] has only had 12 professional fights and this guy is a sensational fighter. And the guy who beat him is arguably one of the top three pound-for-pound fighters in the world.
“Ukraininans are outstanding amateurs and they are now making a mark on the pro game, you only have to look at [Vasyl] Lomachenko and [Olexandr] Usyk. We know we have got a hell of a fight on our hands - it is going to be a spectacular night.
“It is fair to say Viktor Postol is the most talented fighter that has been here in Scotland since Terence Crawford,” McGuigan added. “We are expecting a great fight - there is some jeopardy we know that but these are the kind of risks you need to take to get to a world title fight. And I am 100% confident that this guy has what it takes. What makes me so sure? I watch him every day in the gym.”
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