JOSH Taylor has vowed to “grab the bull by the horns” as he bids to become a two-weight world champion.
The previously undisputed light-welterweight boxing champion lost his first professional bout on Saturday night as Teófimo López beat him by unanimous decision to take his WBO title.
The former champion was “devastated” and “gutted” by the result but has already turned his attention to new challenges.
He said: “I will be going away on holiday, finally on honeymoon, and we are going away on Sunday.
“We are going away to switch off for a couple of weeks and then I will be back.
“I will be back to Liverpool and preparing to get out at the end of the year.
“I will be campaigning at welterweight and have a lot more of a spring in my step and a lot more energy.
“I know it is only a seven pounds difference but it is a lot of weight to be shifting, especially when you are already tight on the weight and been doing it since you were 19.
“I will be grabbing the bull by the horns and starting back.
“Inactivity has been a problem for the last couple of years.
“That’s not an excuse but I will be looking to be as active as I can over the next couple of years.
“It will be back to the grind as soon as I get back from holiday.”
Taylor, who grew up in Prestonpans before moving to Haddington, went into the fight with a flawless record of 19 wins from his 19 bouts.
However, he has only fought five times since becoming a double world champion when he defeated Regis Prograis in the final of the World Boxing Super Series in October 2019.
He then defeated Apinun Khongsong in under two minutes the following September and unified the division in May 2021 with victory over José Ramirez.
His last bout came in February last year, when he edged a split decision victory over Jack Catterall.
In Madison Square Garden, New York, it was his opponent who had his hand raised, taking the decision 115-113, 115-113, 117-111.
Taylor spoke to Courier Sport after he returned home and outlined his disappointment at the result.
He also confirmed that his “days at 140 [light-welterweight] are well and truly over” as he looks to make the step up to welterweight.
He said: “On my night, I can beat Teófimo López.
“If I fought him seven days of the week, I believe I would beat him six days of the week.
“It was just one of those nights.
“It is elite-level boxing and any of the elite-level guys can beat each other on any given night.
“One defeat is not going to define my boxing career.”
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