A 140-pound title-unification fight just became more likely.
Junior welterweight champion Josh Taylor of Scotland has signed a contract with Top Rank, Bob Arum and Taylor said Thursday in a joint announcement.
The multi-year deal is expected to lead to a 140-pound unification fight with Jose Ramirez, also a Top Rank fighter.
“A new year, a new decade with lots of new beginnings, and I’m starting this new decade with a big bang,” said Taylor, who beat Regis Prograis for two of the junior welterweight titles in a Fight of the Year contender Oct. 26 in the U.K. “2019 was a huge year for me, but 2020 looks set to be even bigger and I’m delighted to have signed a deal with Top Rank and ESPN and an advisory contract with MTK Global.’’
Controversy with Taylor’s Top Rank deal looms, however. Promoter Barry McGuigan immediately responded to the announcement, saying in a statement that Taylor is already under contract.
“We are very disappointed to read the news today that Josh Taylor has signed a promotional agreement with another promotional company,” McGuigan said in statement released to the U.K.’s The Mirror. “Josh Taylor is under an exclusive worldwide promotional contract with Cyclone Promotions.
“We have successfully brought Josh to the pinnacle of the sport from the day that he turned professional, including working alongside other stakeholders in boxing to deliver him the biggest fights.’’
Meanwhile, Arum called Taylor (16-0, 12 KOs) a fight fan’s fighter, fearless and willing to take on anybody.
“Whether it’s Jose Ramirez in a fight for the undisputed junior welterweight title or any of the welterweights out there, he’s ready for the biggest challenges,’’ Arum said. “I want to thank Josh’s advisors at MTK Global, who have the same goal as us, which is to make him an international star.”