Josh Taylor stops Apinun Khongsong inside first round to retain world light-welterweight titles

Josh Taylor - pictured here in May 2019 - is now unbeaten in 17 professional fights
Getty Images
George Flood26 September 2020

Josh Taylor remains a unified light-welterweight world champion after an emphatic and swift victory over challenger Apinun Khongsong on Saturday night.

The 'Tartan Tornado' made light work of his Thai opponent behind closed doors at London's York Hall, stopping him inside the first round.

Taylor left Khongsong sprawled on the canvas after a crunching left uppercut to the body that led to the end of the bout after just two minutes and 41 seconds.

"That sank right in. I felt it sinking in straight away," he told BT Sport afterwards.

"I knew from watching him on videos, he swings on the break when you're in close on the clinch, he swings straight away always with a hook and an uppercut.

"I sort of pressed in against him, smothered him up and pushed him against the ropes and as he threw the right hand, I hit him with a left hook which I felt sinking right in.

"I knew it was a real good shot. I didn't know it hurt to him that extent until I turned round and saw him lying on the floor.

"When I watched him on the replay it sunk right in, I felt it going right through my arm so I knew it was a good shot."

Victory saw Scotland's Taylor retain the IBF title he took from Ivan Baranchyk last year as well as the WBA (Super) belt he won against Regis Prograis 11 months ago.

On the undercard, former WBC flyweight champion Charlie Edwards began life at bantamweight with a decision win against Kyle Williams.

Additional reporting by the Press Association.

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