Josh Taylor has suggested that his next move in his professional career will see him move up to welterweight and has already added Conor Benn to his wish list of possible opponents.
The recently dethroned WBO world super-lightweight champion was humbled and outfought by Teofimo Lopez on June 10th in New York and lost a unanimous decision to Lopez. Post-fight, Taylor insisted that he wanted to rematch Lopez; however, he recently conceded that he might have to move up in weight due to issues making the 140lb weight limit.
Taylor and Benn traded words this past weekend, instigated by Benn, who stated that he would love to send Taylor in retirement. Benn is still embroiled with issues regarding anti-doping issues following his collapsed encounter with Eubank Jr.
In a recent interview, Taylor said he would “love” to give Benn a “good spanking” if they ever fought.
“That’d be a great fight,” Taylor told iFL TV about a matchup with Benn. “Especially if he can make welterweight at the moment now. He looked a bit big now. Just the other day, he was 154 or something on one of his [social media] posts. 154 he was looking at. I’d love to give him a good spanking after everything that has happened and came to light and stuff.”
Benn and Eubank Jr are reportedly set to face each other on September 23rd with Eddie Hearn hoping the fight can be held in the UK. If the fight can not be agreed to be held in the UK, likely, the fight will then be held in the Middle East, with Abu Dhabi being touted as the possible host.
Taylor elaborated on his mindset and how the defeat to Lopez has inspired him to keep on fighting and that he will fight anyone moving forward.
“We’ll wait and see what happens,” Taylor continued. “Absolutely, I’ll fight anybody. I’ll fight anybody. I’m not scared to fight anybody. I’ll see what happens and see what comes my way. I think you’ll see I’m a big name in the sport. I’m a former—I fucking hate saying that—I’m a former undisputed world champion, so I’m not short of options. Whatever happens, there’ll be good fights out there for me. We’ll see what happens. We’ll see what happens.”
