Josh Taylor has explained the reasons behind his decision to leave Cyclone Promotions and sign a multi-year deal with Top Rank.
The big news in boxing on Thursday was that Taylor had split with Barry McGuigan's Cyclone.
It will also inevitably lead to a separation with trainer Shane McGuigan.
It brings the curtain down on a five-year partnership which saw the Scottish super-lightweight win the IBF world title in May last year before adding the WBA belt, Ring Magazine title and Muhammad Ali Trophy after beating Regis Prograis to win the World Boxing Super Series in October.
Taylor - who has also signed an advisory deal with MTK Global - told the Edinburgh Evening News: “Listen, I’ve got to pay credit to Cyclone where it’s due because they’ve done a great job and put me in a really good position but, I kind of feel I’ve outgrown them.
“I’m yet to hear from Cyclone but I’m hoping we can be amicable and agree to go our separate ways. I think I need a bigger platform to put my name out there and one that I think I deserve.
“I’ve signed with the biggest promoter in America so I’m absolutely thrilled. It doesn’t mean I’m solely committed to fighting in America so I’ll still be fighting in the UK, which is the best of both worlds. I’ve also so just bought a new house so I’ll still generally be based here.
“I’m going to have MTK Global advising me too so I feel I’ve got a great team behind me.”
Taylor also hopes he is closing in on a shot against undisputed welterweight king Terence Crawford - who is also signed with Top Rank.
“We both now operate under the same banner so there’s no reason for boxing politics to get involved," Taylor said.
“If I move up to 147lbs then that fight with Crawford should be easily made. The only negotiating that would need to happen would be if it is going to be here or in America. It’s been an ambition of mine to fight him for a long time.”
Cyclone voiced their disappointment to Taylor's move on Thursday.
In a statement, they said: “We are very disappointed to read the news today that Josh Taylor has signed a promotional agreement with another promotional company.
“Josh is under an exclusive worldwide promotional contract with Cyclone Promotions.
“We have successfully brought Josh to the pinnacle of the sport from the day that he turned professional, including working alongside other stakeholders in boxing to deliver him the biggest fights.
“Most recently, Josh became IBF World Champion in May 2019 then unified champion in October 2019, and we have been working since then to plan the next stage of his career.
“We are saddened that Josh has felt the need to attempt to break his contract in this manner and frustrated at those who have caused him to do so.”
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