Former undisputed world champion Josh Taylor retires from boxing
Taylor underwent surgery to deal with an eye issue last year but after a return to the ring and a defeat to Ekow Essumen in May, he has been told by specialists that the risks are too great to continue fighting.
The 34-year-old Scot now draws a line under a career that say him rise to the very top and establish himself as one of the country's greatest ever boxers.
He began his career as an amateur and made headlines with a Commonwealth Games gold in front of a home crowd at Glasgow 2014.
From there, the fighter known as 'the Tartan Tornado' went on to become world champion and then become the first British fighter to unify the titles in the four-belt era and one of few to ever do it.
Injuries forced him to vacate three of his belts and he lost the WBO belt to Teofimo Lopez in 2023. Defeats to Jack Catterall and Essumen followed and he said it's sad to be having to hand up his gloves now.
A statement on social media read: 'Right folks, this isn't an easy post for me to write, but on the advice of my doctors, it's sadly a necessary one.
'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.
'I am just a kid from the Pans who scaled the very top of the sport but I could not have done it without those who have supported me through thick and thin.'
Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
27 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
I was once Scotland's top golfer but haven't played here for seven years – I'm buzzing to tee it up at Trump Aberdeen
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) EXILED-SCOT Martin Laird is hoping to turn the clock back five years to the last of eight career wins when he plays his first tournament on home soil since 2018. The 42-year-old Glasgow-born PGA Tour player is a surprise entry for the $2.75 million Nexo Championship at Trump International outside Aberdeen. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Martin Laird speaks with his caddie at the practice range at Trump International Credit: Getty 3 He hasn't teed it up in Scotland competitively for several years Credit: Getty 3 U.S. President Donald Trump recently opened a new course at his Aberdeen venue Credit: AP Laird, who claimed a fourth PGA Tour title at the 2020 Shinners Hospital For Children Open, last competed in the land of his birth at the Scottish Open at the Renaissance. Back in 2011 he reached a career-high of 21 in the world, making him the highest-ranked Scot at the time. But he can't wait for play to start this week after revealing: 'I haven't been back here for a couple of years, even non-competitively. 'But to be here in Scotland again to play in a tournament is brilliant. 'The way the Scottish Open falls was always a tough one for me for a few years. Unfortunately, I wasn't in a position where I could just come over for that. 'There were a lot of tournaments around that time that I had to stay and play in and the week after the Scottish Open, it's the Barracuda tournament and I've got a really good record in that, so that was one I always wanted to play. 'Then I didn't qualify for the Scottish Open for a few years. But this was kind of a no-brainer, because I ended up getting less in America as they have cut their cards to 100 from 125. 'So, you might see me over here at least in two more tournaments and maybe even more.' After only two of the over-50s managed to finish in red figures at last week's wind-blown PGA Seniors Championship, Laird fears that the course at Balmedie may again be close to unplayable if the forecast of gusts this week proved accurate. 'It's spectacular, but flipping hard,' he said. 'They need to get the tees right, otherwise on some holes, even if you hit a good drive, you are hitting long irons into small targets and with 25-30mph crosswinds, it almost gets a bit unplayable. Hilarious moment Donald Trump's golf caddie appears to subtly drop ball in prime spot before he arrives to take shot 'I saw the scoring last week with a 14 over cut and that just shows you what this place is capable of as I have never seen a 14 over cut in my life.' It has been decided to bring several of the tees forward in an effort to at least partially wind-proof the links and that was music to Calum Hill's ears. The 30-year-old two-time DP World Tour winner from Fife got his first taste of the track a month ago when he played a practice round with close buddies Connor Syme and Grant Forrest in sunshine and 10mph winds. And he recalled: 'It felt quite straightforward. Then on Monday it looked much trickier. 'The difficulty here is that it's not like some links course where you get a bit of leeway. It's fairways or bushes and it's quite penal. You'll have a lot of reloading. 'It's very strong off the tee and the greens are slightly upturned so you have a lot of runoffs, and if you get it wrong it could be like ping pong. 'I think I started triple-bogey, double-bogey and I didn't know where I was the first few holes.' Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Belfast Telegraph
an hour ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Irish League club set for financial boost as Northern Ireland striker on verge of League One switch
The 21-year-old is on the move from Nottingham Forest in a deal worth more than £1million. Linfield will also net a financial boost after Taylor joined Forest from the Blues as a teenager in 2020. He spent the 2024/25 campaign on loan at League One outfit Wigan Athletic from Forest, scoring 10 goals and providing seven assists in 42 appearances. The striker claimed both the Players' Player of the Year and Player of the Year prizes, becoming the first loan signing since Chelsea's Reece James (2018/19) to achieve the feat. Taylor will be hoping the move helps him add to his nine senior caps for Northern Ireland after making his debut against Lithuania in 2021. His international comrade Jamie Donley has joined Championship club Stoke City on loan. The 20-year-old Tottenham Hotspur forward was hot property following an impressive loan stint in League One with Leyton Orient in the 2024/25 term. He scored eight goals and provided 10 assists as the O's made the Play-Off Final. Although several Championship sides were keen on his signature, Stoke got the deal over the line. Donley said: 'I had a few teams after me, but I decided on Stoke when the gaffer (Mark Robins) called while I was away on tour with Spurs. 'The way he wants to play, both in terms of attacking and defending, definitely suits me. 'I've heard a lot about the coaching staff and how the manager improves young players. 'You can see that in the history he's had in working with different teams. 'I'm very much a team player, Stoke City fans can know I'll work really hard whether that's defensively or making options to receive the ball to play forward. 'I enjoyed a really positive loan last year, I know about the pressure of men's football now and how people look to you to contribute in games. 'I took to that pressure well and I want to carry that on here at Stoke City.' In the Sports Direct Premiership, Crusaders have signed defender Odhran McCart following his departure from Ards. Glenavon have made goalkeeper Tadhg Ryan available for transfer.
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Jurgen Klopp could play crucial role to help Liverpool complete Alexander Isak transfer
Jurgen Klopp is now a leading figure at Red Bull and he's central to their pursuit of Harvey Elliott - which could help fund Liverpool's pursuit of Alexander Isak Liverpool remain keen on landing Alexander Isak, who has told Newcastle he wants to seek pastures new - with the Reds already seeing an opening bid for the Swede rejected. They tabled an overall over worth £120million, but that was knocked back by their Premier League rivals. The Magpies value Isak closer to £150m after seeing him establish himself as one of Europe's leading No 9s since moving to St James' Park. Liverpool have already spent well over £200m but could still break the British-transfer record for the second time in a single summer. Their transfer efforts will be aided by more money coming into the club and former manager Jurgen Klopp is now Head of Global Soccer for Red Bull and plays a major role in their recruitment. Bild reports that Klopp is particularly keen to bring Harvey Elliott to RB Leipzig with the Englishman tipped to move on this summer. Despite having options to remain in England the German, who bought Elliott to Anfield back in 2019, wants to lure him to the Bundesliga. Elliott has seen his stock rise this summer after excelling at the U21 Euros with England, where he was named Player of the Tournament. He is being eyed by the likes of Brighton and West Ham, but Leipzig represent a chance for him to head overseas. Liverpool are looking to bank around £50m if they are to let Elliott, who only started two Premier League games last term, leave. That fee would also represent pure profit and further bolster their transfer kitty ahead of a renewed move for Isak. Germany has proved to be an excellent environment for English talent to thrive. Jadon Sancho and Jude Bellingham, who both made their names at Borussia Dortmund, are shining examples of how heading to the Bundesliga can be hugely beneficial for one's career. The 22-year-old acknowledges he needs to be selfish with his next move and said recently: 'If I had it my way, I would be here for the rest of my career, it's as simple as that. I love everything about the club. But at the same time, I kind of need to be selfish with myself and see what's best for me. "I have big ambitions, I want to get in the World Cup [squad], keep being successful as a player. I think it's still something I need to review, I need to have a talk with everyone and review the situation. Obviously we have many new players that have come in, so whether it blocks the path for me, I'm not sure. It's something for me to decide and have a look at. As I said, just review the situation." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
