Sunday 29 January 2017 07:57, UK
Josh Taylor marked his Las Vegas debut with a unanimous points win over Alfonso Olvera at the MGM Grand.
The Edinburgh fighter gained valuable experience on the undercard of Carl Frampton's rematch with Leo Santa Cruz and extended his unbeaten record to eight victories with scores of 79-72, 78-73 and 78-73, despite a point deduction for a low blow.
A career-best stoppage win over Dave Ryan in October had earned Taylor the Commonwealth title in October and the 26-year-old super-lightweight continued the learning process with a testing fight against a spirited Mexican opponent.
Taylor was warned for a punch below the belt line in the second round, but gradually found his range and caught Olvera with a crisp left hook.
Olvera responded well in the third round, using his long arms to ram right hands through the Scot's guard.
Taylor's left hook would again prove an accurate weapon in the fourth and Olvera was left on wobbly legs after walking into that sharp counter punch.
Another shot strayed low from Taylor in the sixth, prompting a point deduction from the referee, although 'The Tartan Tornado' would gain a comfortable lead on the cards with a strong finish.
After that accurate left bounced off Olvera's chin in the seventh, Taylor switched his attack to the body in the last and had to settle for a wide points victory.
