Scottish boxer Josh Taylor, the "Tartan Tornado," carved a path through the amateurs, securing a Commonwealth Games silver medal followed by a gold. His aggressive fighting style earned him his nickname. In 2021, Taylor reached the pinnacle of his career, becoming the undisputed light-welterweight champion by unifying all four major titles. This accomplishment cemented his spot in boxing history as the second undisputed champion from Scotland and the first Briton to achieve it in the four-belt era.
Boasting a 68% knockout-to-win ratio, Taylor currently holds the top spot in the light-welterweight division according to BoxRec and TBRB rankings. However, Taylor faced a setback in his most recent fight on June 10th, 2023, at Madison Square Garden. In a highly anticipated clash against Teofimo Lopez for the WBO and Ring titles, Taylor unfortunately lost by unanimous decision. With a record of 19 wins and 1 loss, Taylor’s next outing will be a rematch against Jack Catterall on May 25, 2024.
Josh Taylor Nickname
Josh Taylor is nicknamed the ‘Tartan Tornado’. ‘Tartan’ refers to the criss-cross pattern on woolen cloth, which the Scots are famous for wearing as kilts. Each tartan design is unique and represents a specific clan. For each of his fights, Taylor wears sports trunks with the pattern of his clan, proudly showcasing his heritage and culture.
The ‘Tornado’ part of his nickname reflects his aggressive fighting style. Taylor loves to stand and trade blows with opponents, landing flurries of punches. His approach in the ring is akin to a powerful storm, hence the ‘Tornado’ descriptor.
Josh Taylor Amateur Career
Before being a boxer, Josh Taylor was a junior taekwondo champion. He transitioned to boxing at the age of 15, he trained briefly at Meadowbank ABC before moving to Lochend ABC under the guidance of coach Terry McCormack in Edinburgh. The 2010 Commonwealth Games silver medal didn't dampen Taylor's competitive spirit. Qualifying for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London marked a major milestone for the ‘Tartan Tornado’, making him the first lightweight Scottish boxer to do so since Dick McTaggart's achievements in the 1950s.
Taylor's success continued, clinching a gold medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in the light-welterweight category, solidifying his reputation as a formidable pugilist. Taylor commenced his professional journey in June 2015 by joining Barry McGuigan's Cyclone Promotions, under the coaching of Shane McGuigan.
FAQs on why Josh Taylor is called the Tartan Tornado
A. Josh Taylor is nicknamed the ‘Tartan Tornado’.
A. Josh Taylor holds a professional boxing record of 19 wins and 1 loss (19-1-0).
A. Josh Taylor's next fight is a rematch against Jack Catterall on May 25, 2024.
A. At his last weigh-in, Taylor weighed 140 lbs or 63.5 kgs.
A. Josh Taylor hails from Prestonpans, Scotland.
