Taylor Coyle is continuing his comeback from a shock Scottish welterweight title loss last year – and is determned to climb the rankings at middleweight as he fights Liverpudlian Connor Goulding on Friday.

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By MARK HOWARTH

Former Scottish champion Taylor Coyle is out for redemption when he returns to the ring again on Friday.

Taylor, 26, lost his Scottish welterweight belt last year in a shock defeat to Paisley’s Jack Owens.

But now he’s back, beefed up and determined to become a two-weight champion.

His comeback began before Christmas with a comfortable points win – but now he’s set for Friday’s light-middleweight clash against Liverpudlian Connor Goulding.

Taylor – who fights out of the 1314 club in Braehead and is a joiner by trade – said: “I’m a better boxer than I was last year.

“I feel more comfortable now I’ve stepped up to light middleweight, and the preparation’s been done – I’m ready to go.

“Against Owens, I just got caught. It was a fight I should have won, and it’s frustrating, but losing my belt has given me the drive to put things right.”

Victory over 30-year-old Goulding in Paisley could set up a remarkable family affair at Alloa Town Hall in September.

Both Taylor and younger brother Sean, 22 – who is unbeaten at light-welterweight – may both be having a crack at a title on the same bill on the same night.

The Coyles are trained by their dad Jamie, himself an ex-Scottish champion.

It’s a busy time for the 1314 cohort as Coyle aims to follow the success of his gym mate Colin Cairney, who made it 10 wins in a row for his professional record in a victory.

Colin has now won all 10 of his fights since turning pro in 2023, six by knock-out, and he was backed at the Double Tree by Hilton in Glasgow by a raucous following from his home city with the statement win over Englishman Taylor Greig.

The Braehead stable is also home to the Richardson brothers, Jack and Stuart – the latter a reigning Scottish and Commonwealth youth champion.

Daily Record – Paisley