World Boxing Super Series: Josh Taylor and Naoya Inoue look to light up Glasgow live on Sky Sports
Watch Josh Taylor vs Ivan Baranchyk and Naoya Inoue vs Emmanuel Rodriguez on Sky Sports Action on Saturday from 9pm.
Saturday 18 May 2019 20:50, UK
Josh Taylor bids for world title glory, live on Sky Sports, while Japan's monstrous superstar Naoya Inoue is in town on a mega night of boxing in Glasgow.
There's certainly no place like home and The SSE Hydro is becoming a fortress for 'The Tartan Tornado' as he looks to book his spot in the World Boxing Super Series super-lightweight final. Just 14 fights into his propitious career, already the supreme southpaw is on the verge of world champion status.
Live World Boxing Super Series
A mouthwatering clash with WBA king Regis Prograis lies in wait, but formidable IBF champion Ivan Baranchyk is relishing the challenge and, following a powerful breakout win over Anthony Yigit, 'The Beast' from Belarus, also unbeaten, is confident of spoiling the party. Taylor's spotlight moment is now very much upon him as he looks to become the latest darling of Scottish boxing.
While the 140lbs scene sizzles to life, Inoue - a three-weight world champion - seems to have the bantamweight division in the palm of his hands and another destructive performance will only go to further consolidate his lofty pound-for-pound position.
Injuries to Ryan Burnett and Zolani Tete have somewhat dampened the feverish mood around the 118lbs tournament, where Nonito Donaire sits waiting in the final, but the emphatic rise of 'The Monster' is keeping all eyes glued. Much like Taylor's test, Inoue is tasked with the challenge of an unbeaten IBF champion in slick Puerto Rican Emmanuel Rodriguez, a man who dazzled when beating Brit Paul Butler last year.
What the fighters say...
I am going to beat Taylor by beating him again and again and then beating him some more. The boxing fans in Glasgow can expect me to beat up their hero!
My aim is always a KO. I came to Scotland to win and move to the final, proving I am the best bantamweight in the world!
We will shut up some people's mouths, we are going to make history!
Essential reading
The weigh in
Taylor: 139.9lbs
Baranchyk: 139.6lbs
Inoue: 117.7lbs
Rodriguez: 117.7lbs
The time draw near...
Watch these World Boxing Super Series semi-finals live on Sky Sports Action from 9pm on Saturday.
