Josh Taylor retires from boxing due to eye injury
The 34-year-old will go down in history as one of Scotland's greatest boxers, having won and then unified the world light-welterweight titles.
Josh Taylor claimed his first world title with victory over Ivan Baranchyk in 2019 (Graham Stuart/PA)
Taylor said in a statement: 'As has been publicised before, I've had a recurring issue with my eye that unfortunately means I now have to call time on my career or risk losing my eyesight.
'While the fighter in me always wants to box on, I know I have to listen to the medical professionals and save me from myself.
'It is certainly not the way I wanted to bow out but I have to listen to the doctors and those around me.'
Taylor, from Prestonpans, turned professional one year after winning a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014.
Josh Taylor lost his last fight against Ekow Essuman in May (Steve Welsh/PA)
He claimed the IBF version of the world light-welterweight title with a points win over Ivan Baranchyk in Glasgow in May 2019, and added the WBA 'super' title by beating Regis Prograis in his next bout.
Taylor went on to beat previously undefeated Jose Ramirez to become the undisputed champion in Las Vegas in May 2021.
Taylor suffered his first defeat to Teofimo Lopez in New York in June 2023 and was also beaten in a rematch by British rival Jack Catterall in his following bout.
After undergoing surgery, Taylor returned for a bout against Ekow Essuman in Glasgow in May this year, but suffered his third consecutive defeat.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
30 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Hugo Ekitike explains why he wore a Steven Gerrard shirt before signing for Liverpool
Liverpool new boy Hugo Ekitike has opened up on viral images that showed him wearing a classic Steven Gerrard shirt ahead of his transfer from Frankfurt this week Hugo Ekitike has revealed that pictures of him wearing a classic Steven Gerrard jersey were down to his brother buying him one whilst there were preparing for holiday. Images of the Frenchman went viral as he donned a vintage Reds top with their iconic captain's name, back when he begun his career and wore No 28. This was whilst he remained a Frankfurt player but Liverpool were known to have been interested before they eventually secured his signature. The Reds paid £79million to secure Ekitike's services but he claims that picture of him in a Gerrard top were by no means a way of attracting attention or trying to fuel the rumour mill. The 23-year-old has just enjoyed his breakout campaign in Germany after previously being on PSG 's books. Liverpool fought off competition from Newcastle to land Ekitike but the player has explained his Gerrard snaps. He told the club's website: "The story behind it is that I was going on vacation and obviously I had some training [sessions]. I like vintage jerseys and my brother went to the shop and bought that one and obviously you know the next part of the story: now I am here! He is maybe the first legend here at Liverpool so yeah, big up to him and it's a very good jersey." Gerrard remains an iconic figure at Anfield and is seen by many as their greatest ever player. He won every honour despite the Premier League, but this current group are now aiming to become the first Reds' side ever to win the competition in successive years. Arne Slot, who conquered England's top flight at the first attempt, has attacked the transfer market in an effort to make Liverpool an even more formidable outfit. Ekitike will arrive as the team's new frontman and believes now is the right time to make the switch. The Frenchman said: "I think that was the right moment. I came to the Bundesliga hungry, I wanted to show that I'm a good player and I can make the difference on the pitch. I think I did well last season. Now, I feel ready to make a bigger step and to play on the highest level, to improve myself, to see what I can do. That's why I think it's the right timing for me and the perfect moment to come here." Liverpool have also added Florian Wirtz for a British-record fee from Bayer Leverkusen. Defensively the Reds have also bought in Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong. Now there is talk of Alexander Isak joining from Newcastle.
The Guardian
30 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Belgian Grand Prix sprint race and qualifying: Formula One
Update: Date: 2025-07-26T09:23:44.000Z Title: Preamble Content: British drivers have dominated the sprint races so far this season, with two previous edition being won by Lewis Hamilton (China) and Lando Norris (Miami), but the chances of that run being extended this morning are not high. Norris will start third on the grid, behind teammate Oscar Piastri, who is on pole, and Max Verstappen. Norris has a very slim chance of pulling level with Piastri at the top of the drivers' standings qualifying should he overcome the odds, win the sprint and see Piatri fail to score. In all likelihood, Piastri will start this afternoon's qualifying with a small increase in his lead there. Hamilton is all the way down in 18th after an error in sprint qualifying yesterday saw him fail to make it out of the first session. Oliver Bearman, who qualified in seventh for Haas, has a better chance of extending the British run of sprint winners this season than the Ferrari driver. The sprint race has had little correlation with either qualifying or the Grand Prix winner this season, so trying to read too much into it is misguided but hopefully it's a nice little amuse-bouche to the action to come. What was clear from yesterday's qualifying is that the McLaren are quickest on the corners, with Piastri and Norris ahead of Verstappen in the bendy sector two, so if the Briton can find a bit more speed in the straighter sections he has every chance of bettering the Red Bull. That said, it could well be that we have a 15-laps of smoke and mirrors. We'll find out soon.
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Alexander Isak to Liverpool twist as Eddie Howe drops huge Newcastle transfer bombshell
Eddie Howe has spoken out on the future of Alexander Isak at Newcastle and admits that the hierarchy will ultimately make a decision on whether or not to sell the Swede Newcastle boss Eddie Howe insists the club have not put a timescale on a decision regarding Alexander Isak's future but confessed that the Liverpool target could leave the club this summer. The Swedish striker, who has become the team's leading light over his three years at St James' Park, has expressed a desire to explore his options away from the Magpies. It means Newcastle, despite winning a trophy and qualifying for the Champions League, could lose their best player. If Isak were to leave it would require a British-record transfer fee to tempt Newcastle and, currently, Liverpool are the only Premier League club to come forward. There is also interest in Saudi Arabia. Isak just enjoyed his best season to date in front of goal but is not part of the team's pre-season preparations at present, largely down to the speculation surrounding his future. Howe claimed there would be no immediate decision made as the club weigh up what's best in the long run. He said: "I wouldn't put a timescale on it. I think with these situations it has to be right for the football club, and everything then is taken into context below that. "But the club will make the right decision with all the information that it has, and ultimately to try and move the club forward in whatever way that is. Then it's up to us to make good decisions the other way and try and improve the squad as best we can. That's what we're trying to do, regardless of Alex's situation. "But I think there's a wider picture here. There's a whole football club that has to make the decision. The ownership, together with the board of directors, especially with the money involved in modern day transfers. The manager of course has an opinion, but ultimately the decision will rest with the board." He added: "Of course there's things going on behind the scenes (with Alex). He will be aware he's in the news every day, and I'm sure that's not easy for anyone in that situation. Conversations that happen between Alex and the club or Alex and myself will stay private for obvious reasons. We do share a really good relationship with him. "He's been magnificent for us and he's very popular in the dressing room. We'd love him to continue his journey at Newcastle. I certainly hope he stays. And I said (last weekend) I was confident that he'd stay. I don't see anything that's going to change that opinion of mine at the moment, but it's football and who knows what the future may bring. "All I would say on the broader picture is whatever happens has to be right for Newcastle. We're in a very strong position financially. We're determined to be successful. We are ambitious. We've got a great season ahead of us. We need to add to the squad and continue to improve, and the journey can continue in an upward trajectory.' Liverpool have just spent £79m to land Hugo Ekitike as their new No 9 from Frankfurt, but that may not stop them going back into the market to explore a deal for Isak. Already the Reds have spent more than £200m but still have the scope to spend considerably more if needed. It would be a huge blow to Newcastle, who have made no secret about their ambitions. They've been able to invest gradually since their Saudi owners came in and have retained their top talent up until now.
