Josh Taylor reckons “wee brother” Lee McGregor has what it takes to follow in his footsteps and become a world champion.
McGregor fights Erik Robles at Meadowbank tomorrow night looking to lift the IBO super-bantamweight strap.
The Edinburgh boxer has worked closely with Taylor since the start of his career, fighting on his undercards and sharing training camps. And now the Tartan Tornado believes it is McGregor’s time to shine after a difficult few years.
Taylor, the former undisputed world champion, said: “It’s been a long time coming for Lee. He’s had great success since turning professional, becoming British, Commonwealth and European champion.
“He’s definitely got the minerals to be champion and it’s about time. This is his chance.
“And all that experience he got with me training out in Las Vegas and being on the undercards of my fights puts him in good stead for nights like this.
“It’s been a couple of frustrating years for him with inactivity and things like that. But he’s back now and I’m looking forward to him collecting a belt tomorrow night.
“It’s hard getting to the top but it’s harder to stay there. So when Lee gets there that’s when the hard work really begins.
“This fight is his first step to becoming world champion before he moves on to bigger and better things. There’s no pressure on him here. He has to just go out and enjoy it.
“Come on wee brother, let’s go and bring that title home!”
Taylor reckons there is a good chance he and McGregor will fight on the same card in future.
But the Pride of Prestonpans – recovering after losing his last world title to Teofimo Lopez last month – had a pop at Edinburgh council officials for failing to provide a suitable venue to host major events.
He added: “It’s good to have boxing back in Edinburgh as it’s been a while. And it would be amazing if me and Lee could fight on the same card again one day.
“But for being the capital city, not having a suitable indoor venue for concerts, music or sporting events is just ridiculous. You’d think with the money that’s been pumped into regenerating Meadowbank they could have made that outside track an inside stadium or something so we could have these events.
“I don’t know what Edinburgh council were thinking. Their heads are up their own backsides. The only four feasible options for big events here are Murrayfield, Tynecastle, Easter Road or the castle. Those are the only venues we’ve really got. There’s the Highland centre as well but it’s very dated now.”
