Josh Taylor meets Apinun Khongsong for the WBA Super light-welterweight and IBF light-welterweight belts on 26 September.
Taylor’s two belts are on the line against the Thai boxer when the pair of them fight at York Hall in London.
Khongsong (16-0, 13 KOs) is the IBF No. 1 contender after he took both the IBF Pan Pacific and IBF Asia titles and has six consecutive knockout victories to his name.
MTK promoter Jamie Conlan said: “I am delighted to see the best fighter in the 140-pound division back in action. Josh has used the pandemic to his own advantage, using the layoff to spend more time with his new coach, Ben Davison, and building a relationship together.
“Khongsong provides a real tough test as he’s the mandatory for a reason, undefeated and a big puncher. Josh really needs to be on his game to keep the big fight with Jose Ramirez in the pipeline.”
Taylor (16-0, 12 KOs) is undefeated, but his fight against Khongsong will be his first in a little under a year. The 29-year-old Scot defeated Regis Prograis in October last year in Greenwich at the O2 Arena.
Looking ahead to the fight, Taylor wants to prove his worth to earn a fight against fellow champion Jose Ramirez, and told ESPN he regards himself as the best in the division.
"Khongsong has a high knockout ratio, he's as tall as myself, and punches through the target with quick hands so I'm expecting a tough 12 rounds, but I'm looking to go out and put on a dominant performance, I want to show I'm No. 1 in the division," he said.
Khongsong (16-0, 13 KOs) will be fighting for the first time in Europe, with his last bout coming against Yosmar Kefi in Maehongson in July last year. Just three of his 16 wins have come through any other method but a knockout, and both boxers look to set to put on an explosive display.
Here’s a complete guide to the Taylor vs. Khongsong card.
Josh Taylor vs. Apinun Khongsong fight date, start time
- Date: Saturday 26 September
- Time: 7:30 BST/ 2:30 p.m. ET
The Taylor-Khongsong card will begin at 7:30 p.m. BST/2:30 p.m. ET with Taylor and Khongsong expected to make their ring walks about 10 p.m. BST/5 p.m. ET, although the time depends on the length of the earlier fights.
Taylor vs. Khongsong TV channel, live stream
- U.S.: ESPN+
- U.K.: BT Sport
The Taylor vs. Khongsong fight is available on BT Sport in the U.K. and ESPN+ in the U.S.
Where is the Taylor vs. Khongsong fight?
The Taylor vs. Khongsong fight takes place at York Hall, Bethnal Green in London.
Josh Taylor record and bio
- Nationality: Scottish
- Born: 2 January 1991
- Height: 5’ 10”
- Reach: 69.5in
- Total fights: 16
- Record: 16-0 with 12 knockouts
Apinun Khongsong record and bio
- Nationality: Thai
- Born: 14 July 1996
- Height: 5’ 10”
- Reach: NA
- Total fights: 16
- Record: 16-0 with 13 knockouts
Josh Taylor vs. Apinun Khongsong fight card
- Josh Taylor vs. Apinun Khongsong; Junior Welterweights
- Charlie Edwards vs Kyle Williams; Flyweights
- David Oliver Joyce vs Ionut Baluta; Junior Featherweights
- Willy Hutchinson vs TBC; Super Middleweights
- George Davey vs TBC; Junior Middleweights