10.05.04 – By Tony Nobbs: IBF number five jnr. middleweight Shannan Taylor (38-3-2, 25 KO) has announced he will be defending his IBF Pan Pacific title against Argentine Walter Crucce (45-7, 34 KO) at the Royal Pines Golf Course on the Gold Coast in Queensland on June 25. The schedule twelve rounder will headline a Jamie Myer promotion televised live on Foxsport in Australia. Speaking on Thursday night the former WBC 147 lb mandatory challenger who turns 32 on Wednesday said he was very confident of securing another title shot by years end and originally booked Crucce, 29, to help prepare him for the recently stripped Winky Wright. Taylor also expressed his desire to prove himself once again on the international stage and not concern himself with domestic challengers as well as the inclusion of a new member to his corner – Rod Waterhouse – the former mentor of WBC number two lt heavyweight Paul Briggs.
“This is a very special night for me. I’m back on Fox and I’m fighting a former world title challenger. I’m also going to bring a very special person to the ring on June 25. The old Shannan Taylor. I am back in the ratings and close to another shot. I can smell it and I’ve got the old fire back. I’m more controlled than ever, I have a great team and I’m hungrier than ever”.
Taylor’s discipline was shown in his most recent outing a near shutout of Argentine Paulo Sanchez on March 7 in which he boxed for twelve rounds not losing his way against an awkward spoiler more content on seeing the final bell than winning.
“People are still talking about that fight. How I just kept boxing. People don’t realise how good a boxer I am. They never seen that in the past when I was just knocking guys out”.
Anyone who has seen Taylor in the gym knows that his boxing ability is very underrated.
“I spar heavyweights and I have no problem. When I’m in the gym I’m very loose and , now I’m taking that into the ring, people are surprised”.
“When I chose this guy (Crucce) I wanted an experienced southpaw because I was chasing Winky Wright. For this fight we done a deal with Jamie Myer fight promotions. I need to keep winning impressively and keep people talking about Shannan Taylor. I have just been told that number one and two, Kasim Ouma and Verno Phillips are fighting for the vacant title on June 5 and I can beat both guys the way I’m going now. I’m privileged to be fighting for the IBF and Australia is very, very fortunate to have a man like Ray Wheatley pushing for our fighters. My dear friend and the God Father of my daughter Tony Carradonna is doing great things for boxing here. We have had Bob Sheridan commentating our fights and Tony is doing a dinner in the Colonel’s honour next month. Hussein Hussein is fighting for the WBO title at the Panthers in Sydney on June 27 and me fighting for the world title here would be enourmous”.
Over the past couple of years Taylor has boxed many rounds with Paul Briggs who is currently based in California with Jack Mosley. Over that time he has developed respect for Rod Waterhouse who will be assisting trainer Frankie John Gatt in the corner against Crucce.
“Rod is a champion!” said Shannan who refers to the big fella as “Uncle Rod”.
“It will be great having him there in the corner. Michael Mansor will also be in my corner and I feel really confident in the team I have around me”
Having been held to a draw by Corey Johnson in 1996 Taylor has knocked out two former world champion lefties in Jake Rodriguez and Gary Murray and will be looking to further benefit from southpaw sparring in the next two six weeks but added “I was talking to Danny Green at Bill Mordey’s funeral and we will be working together again in future. He is good sparring. Australian fighters and trainers should be helping each other. I’ve been doing plenty of rounds lately, I did twelve the other night with four different partners and then backed up with nine. Wade Clout has been working with me and I will be getting southpaw practice for this fight”.
Taylor watched last Wednesday nights WBA Super Middleweight title bout between Anthony Mundine and Manny Siaca and commented “It was very disappointing that Anthony lost the title. He has achieved a lot in four years in the sport and it was good for Australian boxing that an athlete of his stature held a title. I hope he can come back and I wish him the very best in the future”.
“I also want to point out that I have been challenged by a few Australian boxers of late. Daniel Dawson is my mate. I’ve sparred with Danny, he is a good prospect but that is all it has been – sparring! Chris Hamilton is a nice kid but he just got stopped by a guy (Gary Comer) with one knock out and Nick Tetoris, I knocked him out twice as an amateur and he just got knocked out by a New Zealander (David Weramu). Fighting him would’ve been like going back to kindergarten. When all these kids challenging me move up in the rankings then we can talk turkey. Until then just leave me alone and let me do what I have to. I’ve got bigger fish to fry!”
Taylor – Crucce is expected to be preceded by three National title fights, with Col Wilson putting the Heavyweight throne on the line against Bob Mirovic plus Juarne Dowling (168lb) and Jamie Guy (175lb) in defence’s as well as a heavyweight eight rounder featuring former Australian champ Nathan Briggs, twin brother of Paul.