In a day full of dueling statements, Josh Taylor got the last word.
Taylor delivered Thursday’s final punctuation point, countering Barry McGuigan, who responded to news of Taylor’s Top Rank deal with a statement that said the Scottish junior welterweight was still under contract to McGuigan’s Cyclone Promotions.
Taylor responded on social media with his own statement, saying that he had ended his deal with Cyclone three weeks ago.
“I wanted to stay respectfully silent about my relationship with Cyclone but given they have released a statement, it is only proper that I respond,” Taylor said. “While I acknowledge and appreciate the role that Cyclone has played in my career to date, three weeks ago I terminated my promotional agreement with Cyclone as a result of various breaches of contract including, in particular, breaches relating to a conflict of interest on the part of the promoter.
“That allowed me to search for a new promoter, which I have found in Top Rank. I wanted to part ways amicably and without resorting to court proceedings (and) I thought and hoped the McGuigans would feel the same way given the litigation they are involved in with other fighters.
“I hope all of us can now move on in a positive way concentrating on things which advance us all.”
It wasn’t clear whether McGuigan, a former featherweight champion from Northern Ireland, plans to go to court against Taylor. McGuigan has been in court with former featherweight champion Carl Frampton, who split with Cyclone and is now recovering from hand surgery in the hopes of facing junior lightweight champion Jamel Herring.
The split with Cyclone likely means that Taylor will have to find a new trainer. His trainer since 2014 has been Shane McGuigan, Barry’s son.