Bruised and bloodied Josh Taylor celebrated as he claimed the IBF world super-lightweight title in a dramatic fight in Glasgow.
The Tartan Tornado tamed Ivan Baranchyk, the man nicknamed The Beast, despite a crisis in round five but the 28-year-old Scot recovered quickly and knocked the title holder down twice in the sixth round.
Taylor, a former Commonwealth Games gold medallist, then controlled the later stages of a gruelling fight.
Three ringside judges scored the fight 117-109, 115-111, 115-111 and the Scot told the media that he felt comfortable during 12 tough rounds at the SSC Hydro.
He told Sky Sports: “I’ve dreamed of this moment for so long and I’m over the moon.”
Taylor admitted taking more risks during the fight than he should have bu the Prestonpans puncher, however, worked skilfully behind his jab to extend his winning run to 15-fights.
However, the defeat was the first suffered by the defending title holder from Belarus.
Experienced news, business, arts, sport and travel journalist. Food critic and managing editor of a well-established food and travel website. Also a magazine editor of publications with circulations of up to 200,000 and managing director of a long-established PR/marketing company with a string of blue-chip clients in its CV. Former communications lecturer at a Scottish university and social media specialist for a string of successful and busy SMEs.
