by Ben Jacobs

Josh Taylor (13-0, 11 KOs) took another step to an impending world title challenge last Saturday night in Glasgow when he defeated the experienced Ukrainian, Viktor Postol by unanimous decision. 

Most observers felt that the fight was closer than the scorecards suggested, indeed, one card only scored a solitary round for Postol which was unfair given the 34-year-old’s body of work during the contest.

Nevertheless, that should not detract from what was a tremendous win for the Edinburgh man considering it was only his 13th professional contest against a rival who stopped Lucas Matthysse and whose only other defeat prior to Saturday was against Terence Crawford, one of the sport’s very best.

Taylor, despite being hurt in the seventh round, rallied strong, dropping his opponent and, landing several shots which stunned ‘The Iceman’ in the closing rounds.  Sitting ringside I sensed that the tremendous crowd support helped Taylor bounce back from what was a difficult situation in which he had to hold on to recover. 

The win was well-deserved in the end and showed the public new facets to his game at the top-class level such as the ability to recuperate from being hurt in addition to carrying his power late.

Two fighters on the undercard stood out in particular at the impressive SSE Hydro along the Clyde Walkway.  First Martin Bakole (11-0, 8 KOs) demolished his opponent DL Jones in one round, with a jab knocking Jones to the canvas.

Furthermore, Lee McGregor (4-0, 4 KOs) engaged in a highly entertaining clash with Goodluck Mrema but ended matters in stunning fashion with a left hook which sent the Tanzania boxer through the ropes in round four. 

Both Bakole and McGregor are fighters that are worth tracking, particularly with the gym rumours about Bakole’s power troubling some big names in the heavyweight division.