Josh Taylor: Even Though Pacquiao is My Idol – I Would Have To Be Ruthless

WBA, IBF junior welterweight champion Josh Taylor has made no secret about his desire to face idol, eight division world champion Manny Pacquiao.

Taylor recently got a tattoo tribute to his late dog. The dog was named ‘PacMan’ – a name given in honor of Pacquiao.

“Manny is a hero of mine so when we named the dog it came about naturally, I could never have dreamed back then of fighting him but I would still love to now, 100 percent,” Taylor told The Sun.

“As soon as that bell rang it would be down to business, even though he is an idol of mine and he isn’t as young as he used to be, he is still a dangerous top-level fighter so I would have to be ruthless.”

Pacquiao, 42-years-old, has been out of the ring since July of 2019, when he won a tough twelve round decision over Keith Thurman.

This Saturday night in Las Vegas, Taylor will attempt to make history when he faces WBC, WBO champion Jose Ramirez in a full division unification.

Should Taylor win, he would join a limited list of the few male fighters who were capable of unifying an entire division in the four belt era.

“It is good but I am not bothered about being touted as the greatest this or that. I am not bothered about being recognized. But I do see it as a little sense of achievement that a little guy from Prestonpans can force his way into that list,” Taylor said.

“I try not to but I do sometimes look at those lists and think ‘wow’ just because of how far I have come in a short space of time. One day when I am safely retired I can say ‘Jesus Christ, I was one of the top-ten best fighters on the planet’.

“But right now I’m just in the zone, I’m going to become the undisputed super lightweight champion and then I’m going to go up in weight and win a world title there.”