MARTIN Compston and Nicola Sturgeon are among the big names to have congratulated Scottish boxer Josh Taylor on his historic win yesterday evening – but some aren’t happy with the BBC’s coverage of the event.
Prestonpans-born Taylor, 30, floored opponent Jose Ramirez twice in Las Vegas to score a unanimous points victory and become only the fifth man, and the first Briton, to claim the WBO, WBA, IBF and WBC titles simultaneously since the four-belt era officially began in 2004.
READ MORE: History maker Josh Taylor will ‘ride the wave’ after being crowned undisputed champion
“This has been 15 years in the making, dedicating my life to the sport, putting everything on hold, my social life, things I wanted to do with my friends, my family, my fiancee, things I have missed out on.
“It has all been geared to this moment, and it has finally paid off,” Taylor said after his 18th professional fight saw him become the undisputed world super-lightweight champion.
Ahead of the fight, Line of Duty star Martin Compston called for the boxer to take “his place among the all-time greats”.
Sir Chris Hoy, Sir Andy Murray, tell me this man doesn’t deserve his place among them and not give a fuck at the same time @JoshTaylorBoxer pic.twitter.com/EjU1WoUd7L
— martin compston (@martin_compston) May 23, 2021
Following the victory, he tweeted: “Sir Chris Hoy, Sir Andy Murray, tell me this man doesn’t deserve his place among them and not give a f*** at the same time @JoshTaylorBoxer”
Trainspotting author Irvine Welsh reshared Compston’s post with his 370,000 followers, and added: “TTT! #No1 @JoshTaylorBoxer”.
This was a reference to Taylor’s nickname, as he is known as “The Tartan Tornado” (TTT).
In response to a BBC story about the win, the First Minister tweeted simply: “Congratulations @JoshTaylorBoxer”
— StoviesPlz (@Stoviesplz) May 23, 2021
Responding to the same story, SNP MSP Paul McLennan wrote: "Congrats to Josh - what an amazing achievement - you’ve made East Lothian and Scotland very proud of you."
However, the BBC tweet engaged with by the two SNP polticians referred to Taylor, who held a Saltire while his victory was announced, as “Britain's first undisputed world champion”.
Some users on social media considered this to be a reflection of a trope where a “Scottish sportsperson [who] wins = British”.
Yep.... seen here proudly waving the "British" flag...... Well done Josh... 🏴 🏴 🏴 🏴 🏴 🏴 🏴 🏴 🏴 🏴 🏴 pic.twitter.com/g5LoH9TzPn
— Danny McCafferty (@dmccafferty49) May 23, 2021
One user responded: “Congratulations to the Briton Josh Taylor who has become Britain's first undisputed world champion British boxer. Josh is from Edinburgh, Britain.”
Another wrote: “Called The Tartan Tornado, waved a Scottish saltire when he won, but BBC SCOTLAND calls him British.”
Think you’ll find he’s Scottish. https://t.co/tlYy1sTHx0 pic.twitter.com/MugTzMikrT
— Deano (@AreYiAye) May 23, 2021
Case in point:https://t.co/LIxRg2bf5o
— Jim Love 🛑🌍,🏴🔛 (@JimLovesLemons) May 23, 2021
The BBC has been asked for comment.
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