Josh Taylor: Ivan Baranchyk has no chance of outboxing me

Josh Taylor, the Scottish junior welterweight standout, is set to challenge for his first world title next weekend, facing IBF titleholder Ivan Baranchyk in the semifinal round of the World Boxing Super Series tournament.

Taylor (14-0, 12 KO) is already considered either the best or second-best man in the world at 140 — depending on how you rank he and Regis Prograis — and he’ll be the favorite in Glasgow, despite the fact that Baranchyk (19-0, 12 KO) is the one coming in with the title.

Taylor, 28, feels he’s got the true advantages against Baranchyk:

“I’m expecting him to come out all guns blazing. I’m expecting him to push the action and stay on my chest, but I’m well prepared for that. If he tries to box, he’s got no chance of outboxing me. I’ll outbox him every day of the week. I can beat him in every department. I’ve got a lot of respect for him because he comes to fight and he leaves it all in there, but I think I have the beating of him.”

Taylor beat Ryan Martin in the first round of the tournament last November, stopping the American in seven. Baranchyk overwhelmed Anthony Yigit in October in his first round matchup, winning the vacant belt in the process.

Taylor-Baranchyk will stream live on DAZN next weekend, with the winner moving on to face Prograis (24-0, 20 KO) in the tournament final.