Topics: Luke Littler, Darts, World Darts Championship
Luke Littler has predicted what would happen if he came up against 16-time world champion Phil "The Power" Taylor in an exhibition match.
A relentless Littler became only the fourth player in darts history – after Taylor, Adrian Lewis and Gary Anderson – to win back-to-back PDC world titles after recording a 7-1 win over Gian van Veen on Saturday.
The 18-year-old, who lost the first set and went 2-0 down in set two before staging an emphatic comeback, hit an overall average of 106.02, which is the sixth-highest in the history of the PDC World Championship.
Many praised the teenager following his latest major triumph, including arguably the greatest of all time, Phil Taylor. "Huge congratulations to Luke Littler," he wrote on X. "Well done buddy you played brilliant."
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In his post-match media conference on Saturday, Littler was asked about potentially matching Taylor's record of 16 world titles, and he didn't rule out attempting to achieve the feat.
"Yeah, it's so far away," he said. "What's that, 14 to go? Another 15 or 16 years, I'd say. But if it happens, it happens. I'll be around for a very long time, and I'm here to win."
Taylor won his titles across 23 years, meaning that, if Littler were to do likewise – and win one more to break the record – he would be 41 years of age.
A popular discussion point at this year's World Championship and beyond has involved comparing a prime Taylor and an 18-year-old Littler, who has conquered darts over the past 12 months.
Speaking to SPORTbible in February last year, Littler hinted that an exhibition match between himself and Taylor could be on the cards in the near future.
“I’m sure that will happen soon... sooner rather than later," he teased. "To share the stage with him will be incredible. I’m sure we’ll make it happen.”
Asked for his thoughts on who would come out on top, Littler said: “If Taylor does start practising, then it will be tough, but if he just sits at home and then comes to an exhibition then I fancy my chances.”
Back in May 2024, Tayor was asked if he would like to face Littler in a match.
Speaking to talkSPORT, he said: "No [I don't want to play him]. Not yet, I don't want to play him to be quite honest with you!"
Taylor was then prodded on whether he would face Littler in an exhibition match. "I'd play him in an exhibition, yeah," he added. "One leg of 301, I go first!"
