Josh Taylor retires from boxing due to eye injury
Taylor underwent eye surgery last year and has been advised by specialists that to continue could endanger his eyesight.
Advertisement
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. Photo: 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.'
Advertisement
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.
Advertisement
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
The Sun
13 minutes ago
- The Sun
Keen racing fan Lady Victoria Starmer beams in delight as she backs winner at Ascot
IT was the thrill of the race for Lady Victoria Starmer as she raises a fist in delight after backing a winner at Ascot. PM Sir Keir's wife, 51, was seen clutching a betting slip as she cheered on 9-4 favourite Fitzella to success in the Princess Margaret Stakes. 4 4 Lady Victoria, known as a keen racing fan, had also backed 20-1 Sukanya, which finished seventh. But that did not dampen her mood as she celebrating her success with two women around her. An onlooker said: 'Nothing dampened Victoria's mood. 'She was having a whale of a time, was cheering and shouting, and seemed completely at home. 'She is known for loving a day at the races and was delighted at picking a winner. 'She seemed to be studying the form intently and waved to the crowds after the race as she held onto her betting slip, her phone and an Ascot programme. 'People were joking that Victoria seemed to be having a better time that her husband who is struggling at Number 10.' Victoria's mother Barbara is from Doncaster, and her grandmother lived on the edge of the town's famous racecourse. Starmer's wife Lady Victoria went from asking 'who the f*** does he think he is' to incoming PM's right-hand woman 4 4
The Sun
18 minutes ago
- The Sun
World Matchplay Darts 2025 LIVE RESULTS: Action on NOW as Wade clashes Clayton before Littler meets Rock
THE World Matchplay is heading towards a thrilling conclusion at the iconic Blackpool Winter Gardens - and Luke Littler is in semi-final action TONIGHT! Teenage sensation Luke Littler will take on Josh Rock in the final four, with the World Cup winner already taking out Gerwyn Price and Michael van Gerwen in the tournament. Jonny Clayton is also set to meet James Wade in the first of the semi-finals tonight. Blackpool is guaranteed to see a new winner, as last year's champion Luke Humphries suffered a SHOCK first round exit against Gian van Veen. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Follow our live blog below...
Times
43 minutes ago
- Times
Arsenal end striker saga with £55m Viktor Gyokeres signing
Arsenal have finally solved their striker conundrum by completing the £55million signing of Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon. The 27-year-old Sweden player, who fired Sporting to the title last season with 39 goals and netted a Champions League hat-trick against Manchester City, is understood to have signed a five-year deal at the Emirates Stadium. Gyokeres's transfer, which could end up costing the north London club as much as £64million with performance-related add-ons, takes Arsenal's close-season spending to about £200million. He becomes Mikel Arteta's sixth summer signing and follows the defender Cristhian Mosquera (£13million), the midfielder Martín Zubimendi (£60million), the goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga (£5million), the midfielder Christian Norgaard (£10million) and the forward Noni Madueke (£48.5million) in moving to the Emirates. Gyokeres is expected to meet his new team-mates during Arsenal's pre-season tour to Singapore and Hong Kong. Arteta's side face Newcastle United in the Singapore National Stadium on Sunday and end their tour with a match against Tottenham Hotspur in Hong Kong on July 31. Arteta, the Arsenal manager, said: 'Viktor has so many qualities. He is a quick and powerful presence up front, with incredible goalscoring numbers at club and international levels. He brings a clinical edge with a high conversion rate of chances into goals, with his intelligent movement in the box making him a constant threat. We're excited about what Viktor brings to our squad.' Gyokeres moved to Brighton & Hove Albion from the Swedish side Brommapojkarna in January 2018, but spent time on loan at St Pauli and then Swansea City and Coventry City, before making a permanent move to the West Midlands club in July 2021. After Coventry were beaten on penalties by Luton Town in the 2023 Championship play-off final, Gyokeres completed a £20.5million switch to Sporting. He scored 97 goals in 102 matches for the Portuguese side. Arsenal spent the concluding months of last season without a recognised striker because of long-term injuries to Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz. The club's new sporting director, Andrea Berta, has wasted little time in strengthening a squad that has finished runners-up in the league for the past three seasons. Gabriel and Myles Lewis-Skelly have also signed new contracts, with a long-term extension for Ethan Nwaneri, 18, believed to be all but completed. Berta said: 'We are confident Viktor will have a major impact on the pitch and become an important figure in our dressing room.' Everton open talks with Lyon over wonderkid winger Everton have entered the race for talented winger Malick Fofana after opening talks with Lyon for the starlet. David Moyes wants to sign two wide men before the start of the season and, alongside Southampton's Tyler Dibling, Everton are also trying to recruit Fofana, 20. The youngster, who mainly plays off the left, has already made his senior debut for Belgium and is regarded as one of Europe's most promising talents. Discussions between the clubs have still to bring an agreement and Everton would then have to persuade the player to move to Merseyside. Fofana was linked last season with Bayern Munich and Nottingham Forest, the latter of which have done a number of deals with Lyon over the past year. Bayern are pursuing an interest in Liverpool's Luis Diaz. Everton have been frustrated in their attempts to bolster their squad in wide areas, having seen Francisco Conceição join Juventus from Porto and Johan Bakayoko move to RB Leipzig from PSV Eindhoven. A move for Dibling, 19, is also being discussed, although the asking price could be a stumbling block. Meanwhile, Everton are close to sealing a deal for Bayern's 19-year-old left back Adam Aznou in a deal worth around £8million. Moyes has already brought in Charly Alcaraz from Flamengo after a successful loan move in the second half of last season, Thierno Barry from Villarreal and Mark Travers from Bournemouth for a combined outlay in the region of £45million.
