Undefeated boxing champion Josh Taylor is in for the long haul after setting sights on Filipino legend Manny Pacquiao.
Taylor, in an interview with Sky Sports, expressed his interest to clash with the only eight-division world boxing champion once he settles an unfinished business with fellow unbeaten titleholder Jose Ramirez on May 22 for the junior welterweight unification belt.
"To share a ring with my hero Pacquiao? That would be brilliant," said Taylor, who holds a 17-0 record on top of 14 knockouts. "How many people can say they shared a ring with their hero and beat them? Not many."
Much like most boxers, the Scottish champion is just one of the many who looks up to Pacquiao, calling the Filipino boxer-turned-senator an "absolute gentleman" while possessing a "ferocious" fighting style in the ring, among others.
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He added that Pacquiao, 42, can still "fight like hell" with his iconic southpaw stance and fast hands.
Aside from Pacquiao, also on Taylor's radar is undisputed WBO welterweight king Terence Crawford, hinting at a move to scale one step higher anytime soon.
Taylor, the unified IBF and (super) WBA titlist, however, is more focused on what's coming ahead in the next two months in Las Vegas.
The 30-year-old Taylor last saw action in September last year with a first-round knockout win over Thai opponent Apinun Khongsong while Pacquiao has not fought since scoring a split decision win over Thurman last July 2019.
In late January, Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KOs) was stripped of his WBA super welterweight belt and was declared "champion in recess" due to inactivity.
Ramirez, for his part, pulled off a majority decision victory over Viktor Postol of Ukraine in August 2020.