IF this were an ordinary Saturday then the only thing on Josh Taylor’s mind would be watching Hibernian try to lift the Scottish Cup.
When you are attempting to become Scotland’s first four-belt undisputed world boxing champ, however, it is far from an ordinary day. For once, his beloved Hibees will need to take second billing.
“It would be the perfect weekend for me if Hibs can win the Scottish Cup and then I unify the title,” said the man from Prestonpans.
“It would be a great weekend for sport in Edinburgh and for Scotland in general. I won’t watch the final, however. I’ll be zoned into what I’m doing so I won’t be fussed about the football – I’ll hear the score and that’ll be it.”
If this is a huge afternoon for Hibs – and St Johnstone – then it pales into insignificance compared to what lies ahead for Taylor.
It remains something of a mystery that the 30 year-old has not already garnered wider recognition throughout Scotland and beyond.
A Commonwealth Games silver then gold medallist, professional Commonwealth champion in his seventh fight, world champion in his 15th fight and then unified champion one bout later, Taylor’s record already stacks up alongside boxing’s greats.
His previous five opponents had a combined record of 110 wins and one defeat before entering the ring and the Scottish southpaw beat them all.
Taylor is handsome, charismatic, funny and chatty, the only flaws on his character some suspect anti-Covid views (something prevalent among the boxing fraternity over the past year) and a guilty plea at the end of 2019 for racist and homophobic comments made towards a nightclub bouncer that he later showed contrition over.
While the world fawns over Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury and their will-they-won't-they saga, Taylor has every right to ask: what about me?
None of the major British broadcasters have picked up tonight’s bout with Jose Ramirez in Las Vegas, a startling state of affairs at a time when pay-per-view and other inferior boxing shows are never off the television.
Anyone wishing to see Taylor potentially make history will need to tune into Fite TV, a reputable boxing streaming service but hardly the platform such a major fight deserves.
It evidently grates on the Scot that he hasn’t yet gained a wider mainstream media following but his belief is that a win tonight ought to change all that.
“I’m a little bit surprised,” said the Top Rank and MTK fighter about the lack of television recognition. “I did think BT or Sky or somebody would have picked it up.
“It’s a little bit frustrating because it’s one of the biggest fights in British boxing history – and it’s not on TV. That’s a pain in the backside.
“I’m not a Sky fighter – that’s probably what it is, at the end of the day.
“But Fite TV are picking it up so people who want to watch it can subscribe to a pretty big streaming platform.
“It is what it is. I’m used to that sort of thing. But they won’t be able to ignore me after I win this fight.
“I think everybody should be tuning in. But it doesn’t bother me. I won’t be losing sleep over it.
“I’m not a great one for accolades, I’m not a show pony. We’ll see tonight, I’ll be making history. And they can’t ignore me then.”
Taylor will become the first Scot since Ken Buchanan 50 years ago – who won the two belts on offer at that time - to become undisputed world champion.
Buchanan didn’t get the recognition he deserved either for many years afterwards, something Taylor can relate to. But he knows Scotland’s boxing community is right behind him.
“It seems to be history repeating itself. But I’m really not bothered because I know everybody back home is behind me.
“I’ve been inundated with messages on social media, people supporting me, wishing me all the best. I know I’ve got massive support back home.
“It fills me with confidence that so many people back home want me to win. I’m proud and happy that I have such support.
“That’s why I’m not bothered about the TV thing, because I know what a great support I have, the great fans. I know everyone is hoping I come back with all the belts.”
They know him a bit better around Vegas now, too. There will be 1000 fans inside the Virgin Hotel for the contest and the promotional efforts have included plastering Taylor’s poster all around The Strip.
“It is a pinch-me moment when you see your face on the billboards around Las Vegas,” he admits.
“It’s pretty cool walking around and I’ve seen it a few times now.
“But the first time I saw it there was that feeling, like all these years of hard work got me here and that was always something I wanted.
“It just feels like I’ve reached the pinnacle of the sport – but I’m not done yet. You’ve got to snap back out of that feeling because I’ve got a job to do.
“We’ve been keeping away from the crowds but there’s been times when I’ve been out and about at the pool hall or the shopping centre and people have come up to me.
“I’ve been noticed a few times and they’ve been saying they’re rooting for me to win. That’s been cool as well.
“It will be great to be fighting in front of fans again –that’s what I live for.
“It’ll be a smaller crowd but 1000 fans can make a lot of noise. There will still be a great atmosphere.
“That’s what I’m used to and it’s a big difference, because it’s hard fighting in an empty hall. But with the magnitude of this fight, it wouldn't matter to me if it was in a car park or a phone box.”
Ramirez vs. Taylor will stream live and exclusively in the UK on FITE for £9.99. Live coverage begins at 1am. UK time.
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