JOSH TAYLOR revealed his most brutal fight left him urinating BLOOD for days and unable to walk – ruining his holiday.
The Scot became undisputed super-lightweight world champion but earned it the hard way with a series of challenging bouts.
GettyIvan Baranchyk lost to Josh Taylor in 2019[/caption]
And Taylor revealed none were more gruelling than his 2019 victory over Ukrainian Ivan Baranchyk – which he won on points.
He said: “I would say it was Ivan Baranchyk. I went on holiday on the Monday afterwards. I could hardly walk through the airport.
“I was so sore my body was so sore, my back, my ribs, my livers. I was urinating blood for about four or five days after the fight.
“My kidneys were so bruised, I was in pain for about four or five days for that fight.
“So yeah, I would say that was probably physically the toughest fight.”
Taylor floored Baranchyk, now 32, twice in round six but was taken the full 12 to retain the 140lb IBF title.
From there, he added the WBA, WBO and WBC versions with points wins over Regis Prograis and Jose Ramírez.
Taylor then retained the undisputed throne in a hugely controversial split-decision against rival Jack Catterall in Glasgow in 2022.
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He was then defeated for the first time in 2023 against Teofimo Lopez before losing his rematch with Catterall, 31, last May.
Now Taylor steps up to welterweight in his return bout against Ekow Essuman, 36, on Saturday.
He said: “I just thought I need a fresh start, a fresh change.
“New beginnings, new challenges, set new goals, new targets which then refresh your energy, refreshes your enthusiasm for the sport, refreshes everything because then it’s back to being the hunter again.
“It’s a new challenge. I’ve been there, done that, worn all four t-shirts so it’s like, ‘Right, you’ve not got any t-shirts at this next weight, let’s go get them.’”
Queensberry Promotions Taylor returns against Ekow Essuman[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
