Taylor trainer urges caution – “Look at what happened to Lomachenko in his second fight”
Katie Taylor’s new trainer, Ross Enamait, freely admits that the Wicklow woman is a better fighter than the current world champions across the three weights she could conceivably fight at. However, the American warns that the same was true for one Vasyl Lomachenko when he turned over, and used to Ukrainian as proof that you have to add experience to natural talent to be 100 percent sure of boxing success.
Lomachenko turned over with two Olympic golds in his back pocket and, like Taylor. was regarded as one of the best amateurs of all time, but was thrown into a World title fight in just his second pro outing and ultimately lost to a rule-bending Orlando Salido.
‘Hi-Tech’ has since bounced back and is now a two weight World champion after just seven fights. However, Enamait believes that Taylor should be given time to adapt to the pro style and be exposed to, and learn to cope with, the rougher side of the game.
In Dublin earlier this week he heard talk of a Summer 2017 World title fight and, while he believes his charge is already World level, he would feel better if a ‘one fight at a time’ mantra was imposed and the Irish sporting legend was given time to adjust to some of the surprises that action in the pro ring can throw up.
Outlining his view to Irish-Boxing.com, Enamait explained how “she is at World level, but sometimes people get carried away. Look at what happened to Lomachenko in his second fight. Had he more skill than Salido? Of course, but was he ready to get hit in the balls and stuff like that? So there are still aspects every fighter has to grow into. So you can’t predict when she will be ready.”
“We are looking at Saturday and then we are out two weeks later. Obviously the promoters want to talk it up, but a fighter gets in trouble when they start looking too far ahead. She has to show up Saturday and get the win. I don’t care who the girl she is fighting is. Every fighter out there would love to have Katie Taylor on their resume, so they will all be more up for fighting her than any other fight they will be in.”
Promoters Matchroom are hopeful of a Summer World title showdown in Dublin, but when Enamait says all he is thinking about is Saturday it doesn’t sound like a clichéd comment.
Taylor takes on Poland’s Karina Kopinska [7(2)-14(1)-3] and while the American coach is confident the debutant will win, he does claim the Pole is better than her record indicates.
“I just want a win on Saturday. I know they want excitement, but her style as a whole will be exciting I think. I just want a win for now. If she stops her that would be great. Katie has been sitting down on her shots more and she has the power. We worked on getting away from that four round buzzsaw approach.”
“Her opponent is better than her record suggests. She has only been stopped once so a stoppage would be nice. Then again if they are trying to fast track her she needs rounds to get used to no head gear and some of the dirtier aspects of the game.”
