Josh Taylor set face IBF #1 Apinum Khongsong next
Josh Taylor (16-0, 12KOs) will face Apinum Khongsong (16-0, 13KOs) in a maiden defence of his WBA and IBF world super-lightweight titles.
The Bangkok boxer is unbeaten in 16 bouts, with two IBF regional titles, and has won his last six contests by knockout.
Taylor is the current IBF and WBA super-lightweight champion, desperate to face WBC and WBO champion Jose Carlos Ramirez, but first has his mandatory obligations to fulfill, with purse bids been called for January 24.
After signing with Top Rank, Taylor stated, "Ramiez has got the mandatory against Postol, I've got the mandatory against the guy from Thailand."
"I need to get that out of the way and he needs to get Postol out of the way. Even if Postol comes through that, that's the fight I want I want because he'll have the two other belts.
"That fight has to happen a some point this year. That's my goal, my focus thiyear – becoming undisputed king, the first [Scottish] guy to do it since Ken Buchanan.
"I'm hoping to have the first defence in Scotland before I then go Stateside and chase the Ramirez fight.
"I can't see Ramirez coming over here. I'd like to get it here, I'll try to push for it to be here. But if I have to go to America, fair play, I'll go to America and see my name up in bright lights."
23-year-old Khongsong has an identical record to Taylor, but with an extra stoppae recorded on his. However, despite being the IBF No.1 rated super-lightweight, his level of opponents have not been of a credible standard. He has claimed the IBF Pan Pacific and the IBF Asia Super Light Titles. He has defended the Pan Pacific strap on three occasions, causing him to reach the to spot in the IBF 140lbs standings.