Josh Taylor reveals his toughest ever fight that left him peeing BLOOD for five days and unable to walk

Josh Taylor has opened up about the most physically punishing fight of his career, a bout that resulted in him urinating blood for several days and being unable to walk, disrupting his planned holiday.

The Scottish boxer achieved undisputed super-lightweight world champion status, navigating a series of demanding encounters to reach the top.

Taylor revealed that none were more grueling than his 2019 points victory over Ukrainian opponent Ivan Baranchyk.

He stated: “I`d say it was Ivan Baranchyk. I left for holiday the Monday right after. It was hard for me to even walk through the airport.

“I was incredibly sore all over, my back, my ribs, my liver area. I was urinating blood for about four or five days post-fight.

“My kidneys were so bruised. I was in significant pain for around four or five days after that specific fight.

“So yes, physically speaking, I`d classify that as probably the toughest fight.”

Taylor managed to knock Baranchyk, now 32, down twice during the sixth round but the fight went the full twelve rounds, allowing Taylor to keep his IBF 140lb title.

Following this win, he added the WBA, WBO, and WBC belts to become undisputed champion by securing points victories over Regis Prograis and Jose Ramírez.

Taylor successfully defended his undisputed crown against rival Jack Catterall in Glasgow in 2022, though the split-decision victory proved highly controversial.

His first professional defeat came in 2023 against Teofimo Lopez, followed by a loss in his rematch with Catterall, 31, last May.

Now, Taylor is preparing to move up a weight class to welterweight for his upcoming fight on Saturday against Ekow Essuman, 36.

He commented on his decision: “I just felt I needed a new beginning, a change of scenery.”

“Fresh starts, new challenges; setting new goals and targets reignites your energy, your passion for the sport, everything, because you shift back into the role of the hunter.”

“It’s a new test. I`ve achieved everything there is to achieve at the previous weight; I`ve worn all the championship t-shirts. So, it’s like, ‘Alright, you don’t have any t-shirts yet at this next weight, let`s go chase them down.’”