Josh Taylor has welcomed a fight with Conor Benn just days after his world title loss to Teofimo Lopez.
Taylor, 32, suffered his first professional loss at the hands of Lopez in New York as the American also captured his WBO light-welterweight belt. 'The Tartan Tornado' was unbeaten in 19 fights heading into the bout, but his last win came in controversial fashion against Jack Catterall as many fans felt he lost the fight.
Benn called out Taylor and mocked him for his recent defeat by writing on Instagram: "Josh Taylor I’d happily give you your third beating on the spin. Don’t play with me.” Benn hasn't fought since knocking out Chris van Heerden last April as he tested positive for the banned substance clomifene after the win.
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Taylor mocked Benn's test failure by responding: “Must be the road rage kicking in? Or is that the pregnancy hormones?” The substance Benn tested positive is a female fertility drug that can be used to boost testosterone levels in men, although it is not classified as a steroid.
Benn didn't take kindly to Taylor mocking him as he replied: “I wouldn’t throw stones if I was you… Josh Taylor I get you want your last payday before retirement.” Taylor got the final word by then responding “You won’t be fighting anywhere anytime soon, but I’ll happily fight you."
A fight between Taylor and Benn would have to take place overseas as Benn currently doesn't have a license to fight in the UK as he is awaiting the results of a UKAD [UK Anti-Doping] investigation. The organisation formally charged Benn over his two failed tests and he could be hit with a two-year suspension if found guilty.
Taylor has fought at light-welterweight for all of his career but would be open to moving up a weight class to meet Benn at welterweight. “That’d be a great fight, especially if he can make welterweight at the moment now. He looked a bit big now. Just the other day he was 154 or something on one of his social media posts. 154lb he was looking at. I’d love to give him a good spanking after everything that has happened and came to light and stuff," he told iFL TV.
