Josh Taylor admits he is relishing the chance to renew his rivalry with former world champion Domenico Valentino as the British Lionhearts face the Italia Thunder in the World Series of Boxing.
The 22-year-old Scot faced Italian Valentino, the world champion from 2009, in the lightweight round of 16 at the London 2012 Olympics last summer, falling to a 15-10 defeat at the ExCeL.
Taylor fought for the British Lionhearts in the World Series of Boxing for the first time during their third clash against Kazakhstan in December where he lost on points to Yerzhan Mussafirov.
However, with his second World Series of Boxing fight coming against the man who beat him at the Olympics last summer, Taylor can’t wait to set the record straight in Italy.
“Valentino is an experienced and awkward opponent, but my training has gone very well and I am really looking forward to the contest,” said Taylor.
“I enjoy the different demands of World Series Boxing and think it suits my style. It’s less frantic than the amateur format and the extra rounds and the ten-point scoring system mean you have more time to settle into the bout and think about what you are doing.”
Britain and Italy have both won four and lost two in the World Series of Boxing this season however the Thunder are one point ahead in second place in Group B behind Kazakhstan.
Taylor will be joined in Caserta by Commonwealth champion Sean McGoldrick and European champion Joe Ward as Britain bid to repeat their 4-1 victory over Italy in Newport back in November.
Kaupo Arro and Uaine Fa complete the line up with Clemente Russo and Vincenzo Mangiacapre, who won heavyweight silver and light welterweight bronze at London 2012 respectively, on the Italian team as well as Valentino.
Russo will fight Fa and Mangiacapre will go head-to-head with Arro in the middleweight contest while McGoldrick faces bantamweight Riccardo D’Andrea and Ward tackles light heavyweight Abdelhafid Benchabla.
© Sportsbeat 2013